The Blue Jays have already earned a share of the District 4-1A title.
But St. Edmund can win its first championship since 2014 with a victory Thursday night at Merryville.
“This a very important game,” St. Edmund head coach Andy Hargroder said. “We don’t want to share the district championship with anyone.”
The Panthers (5-4, 4-2) have won four straight district games after falling to Oberlin and Basile.
Merryville has earned wins over Grand Lake (22-14), South Cameron (30-7), Hamilton Christian (22-20) and Elton (36-32).
“They have won five games so far this year so that means they are better than many expected,” Hargroder said of the Panthers. “They are really playing well and are one of the better teams in the district now as they have improved so mush through-out the year.
“They are big and physical,” he added.”They have the same philosophy as we do – run the ball, eat up clock and play good defense.”
St. Edmund is presently No. 5 in the Division IV power rankings.
Merryville is No. 14 in the Class 1-A power rankings with No. 7 Basile, No. 9 Elton, No. 11 Oberlin and No. 28 Grand Lake still in the playoff hunt.
South Cameron has decided not to participate in the playoffs.
“We didn’t play very well last week,” the coach said even with their 28-12 win at Hamilton Christian. “We need to perform better, especially on the offensive line.”
Hargroder said a loss to Merryville would hurt their chances for a first-round home game, but a win should keep them in the top eight teams of the 16-team bracket.
“I would hope we can take this into the next phase of the season,” the coach said. “We need to play well and keep the momentum.
“We don’t need to be complacent and satisfied just with a share of the district title,” Hargroder said. “We need to work even harder with the playoffs ahead of us.”
In other district games this week, Basile entertains Hamilton Christian, Oberlin visits rival Elton and South Cameron plays host to Grand Lake.