By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

BILOXI — St. Patrick made some strides last season in year two under head coach Nate Encrapera.

Now, the Fighting Irish will look to continue trending in the right direction as a new season begins.

Encrapera led SPHS to just a 3-7 overall record last year, but that was three more than the Fighting Irish won in his first season when they went win-less at 0-9.

In addition, SPHS qualified for the Class 3A South State playoffs last year also, thanks in large part to a solid 38-21 win over arch-rival St. Stanislaus in Region 8-3A play. It marked the first win ever over SSC for the Fighting Irish in six total attempts, with one of those five wins by the Rock-A-Chaws coming in 2021 when Encrapera was the head coach at SSC.

“I think the biggest change that I’ve seen so far is our expectations,” Encrapera said, in a recent interview. “We’ve learned a lot, and the continuity from year one to year two was a key also. We beat some teams last year that we haven’t beat before, and it’s just about moving forward and setting a standard.”

Offensively this season for SPHS, quarterback Layton Davis returns at quarterback after splitting time behind center with Satchel Mercier last year. Davis is one of seven seniors in a group this year for the Fighting Irish that Encrapera will be counting upon heavily for some key plays.

Included in that group is also offensive lineman John Christian Swetman, who is so highly regarded by his teammates and coaching staff that he was awarded the “Mr. Irish” title last season as just a junior.

Offensively, SPHS will have to overcome the losses of both Mercier and top running back Liam Richards, both of whom transferred.

Defensively, lineman Ryan Knowles will be counted upon down in the trenches as will linebacker Hunter Robertson on the second level.

The Fighting Irish will once again battle, SSC, West Marion, Presbyterian Christian, and Tylertown for four playoff spots in Region 8-3A.

St. Patrick hosts Coastal Christian Academy on Friday, Aug. 28th to open the new season.