Dillon and Alumni resume their game tonight at Riehle Field that was stopped on Oct. 18 due to a tornado warning at the half.
The Big Red have already clinched a playoff berth, but they want to make sure that both sides of the ball are ready to go when the postseason starts.
"We want to go into the playoffs clicking on all cylinders," Dillon senior captain Alex Duffy said.
Dillon will also look to improve its playoff seed with a win.
"This game has to do with being the eighth or the seventh seed," Duffy said. "Either way we have a tough opponent, but I would much rather be a lower seed."
Duffy stressed the importance of keeping his team focused.
"Last year we came into the Alumni game 0-3 and helped spoil their season. The roles are reversed this year, and they are looking for some revenge," Duffy said. "It's a rivalry game and it's interhall football. Anything can happen."
The Dawgs come into tonight's game at 0-3, but a rivalry game against Dillon always gives them reason to come out and play.
"It's obvious right now that we have nothing to play for except pride," Alumni captain Bret Shapot said. "What makes this game even bigger for us is it is against Dillon. When we play Dillon, it makes no difference whether we are 3-0 or 0-3."
Alumni will look to finish the season strong and begin to prepare for next year.
"All our younger guys are going to play a big role in this game," Shapot said. "At the same time, the veterans are going to get one final shot on the field. Everyone's going to make a contribution, and if we can come away with a win, that's all I can ask for. Then Alumni can ride that into next year."
Keenan vs. Stanford
The Battle of the Chapel, originally schedule for Oct. 18 but postponed due to weather, will conclude tonight on Riehle Field as Keenan and Stanford play for the chance at an undefeated season.
"It is always good to beat Stanford. In fact, our rector pulled me into his office and told us to win," sophomore captain Pat Burns said.
The naming rights for the chapel shared by the two adjoined dorms is up for grabs, as is the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Keenan (3-0) is coming off its bye week after rolling over Alumni for a 26-0 victory. The team remained humble, however, and does not want to overlook a strong Stanford squad.
"We made a lot of mistakes. We need to try and cut out the holding penalties and move the ball forward," Burns said.
Rust is a definite concern for the Knights, who have not played a game in a week and a half.
"We have been working on a lot of offensive line [play]," Burns said. "We do not want to change too much, and we want to be ready."
Freshman Brian Castello will call the signals for Keenan.
"He is really getting used to the whole interhall thing," Burns said.
Leading the rushing attack is junior Alex Gonzalez, who Burns said is talented enough to be playing ball on a varsity team somewhere.
The Knights have relied on their strong defense for much of this year, giving up only six points in three games.
Countering the potent Knights is an equally talented Stanford (3-0) football team. The Griffins come into the game on short rest and after winning a sloppy game against mediocre Keough.
"It should not have been as close as it was. We made a lot of mistakes," senior captain Rob Huth said.
The Stanford defense has been just as strong the Knights', holding opponents scoreless all season until the fourth quarter against Keough.
The defensive line, led by sophomore defensive tackle Rob Huguelet, has been especially good for the Griffins.
The Stanford offense has a good mix of new faces and old, including several explosive players at the skill positions, highlighted by junior quarterback Brian Salvi and senior running back Tregg Duerson.
"If we want to win this game, we are going to have to have a complete game," Huth said.
