ALPHA LEAGUE

TEAM TO BEAT

Paraclete was walloped by St. Bonaventure, 51-0, in its season opener, but the Spirits are the two-time defending league champions and have won three consecutive Southern Section titles at either the Division XI or XII level. Junior Curtis Brown has rushed for 755 yards and seven touchdowns in 68 carries. Senior Michael Washington is averaging 10.9 yards a carry with junior Erick Jackson at 6.6.

CHALLENGERS

Kilpatrick, which Paraclete has beaten for its last two Southern Section titles, began the season with three consecutive losses. But the Mustangs have won two games in a row with Jeremy Hartsfield in the lineup. Hartsfield, who played for Dorsey last year, has rushed for 542 yards and scored 11 touchdowns after missing the first three games of the season for disciplinary reasons. L.A. Baptist, led by junior quarterback Steve Graham, is 5-0 for the first time since winning the Southern Section Division X title in 1993 and averaging 41.6 points a game.

THE REST

Village Christian and Marshall appear to be improved over last year, but they’re expected to occupy the last two spots in the league standings for the third consecutive season. Aaron Owen of Village Christian has rushed for 368 yards and two touchdowns in 51 carries.

STANDINGS

*--*

League Overall School W L T W L T PF PA L.A. Baptist 0 0 0 5 0 0 208 135 Paraclete 0 0 0 4 1 0 106 84 Marshall 0 0 0 3 2 0 146 141 Village Chr. 0 0 0 3 2 0 132 65 Kilpatrick 0 0 0 2 3 0 128 108

*--*

DATES TO MARK

Oct. 20 Kilpatrick vs. L.A. Baptist

Nov. 3 L.A. Baptist vs. Paraclete

Nov. 10 Kilpatrick vs. Paraclete