Jays see turnover battle as key tonight at Francis Howell

Jefferson City's Rayshawn Williams looks for running room during last Friday's game against Fort Zumwalt West. The Jays play at Francis Howell in a Class 6 District 3 semifinal game tonight.
Jefferson City's Rayshawn Williams looks for running room during last Friday's game against Fort Zumwalt West. The Jays play at Francis Howell in a Class 6 District 3 semifinal game tonight.

It didn't take Jefferson City coach Ted LePage long to figure out how his team can be successful against Francis Howell.

Francis Howell's defensive numbers back up LePage's key to victory.

"Don't beat ourselves," LePage said as the Jays prepare for tonight's 7 p.m. kickoff in St. Charles. "We really did a good job last week of not doing that. (Francis Howell) is a team that really allows the other team to beat themselves. They capitalize on it."

The Vikings (9-1) have allowed more than 14 points per game just twice this season and are allowing just nine points per game overall. They held C.B.C., the No. 1 team in Class 6, to just 13 points in a 13-10 loss in the final game of the regular season.

It's been that strong defense that has capitalized on mistakes all season.