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By Nate Woelfel

August 24, 2012

Stevens Point–Like most teams around the state, the Pacelli Cardinals football team will open its season against a non-conference opponent.

However, the Cardinals are no strangers to week one foe La Crosse Aquinas.

“We’ve been playing Aquinas for 50 years or more, we used to be in the same conference together back in the old WISSA days and WCC days, so we know each other well,” Pacelli coach Steve Raczek said.

The last three meetings between the old rivals have been decided by a combined seven points, a stat that comes as no surprise to Raczek and his staff.

“It’s always a battle with Aquinas, no matter if one team is significantly superior to the other as far as talent,” Raczek said. “It just seems whatever team maybe isn’t as talented always rises to the occasion against Aquinas or them against us, so we’re expecting a battle.”

Once again the Blugolds will feature an old-fashioned power football style on both sides of the ball.

“They’ve got a nice running attack and their defense has always been stout,” Raczek said. “Watching them on film from their scrimmage, they’re going to do it again this year, defensively they are solid.”

The Cardinals have taken two of the last three from Aquinas, the key to continued will be staying true to the game plan.

“We need to do the little things well, we need to get back and do our basics really well,” Raczek said. “We don’t need to be fancy, we just need to keep to basic and good things can happen.”

Raczek was pleased with how the 2012 Cardinals handled their first week of preparation prior to a game.

“It’s been an excellent week of practice,” Raczek said. “They’ve been focused and practicing hard and putting the extra time in watching film, it’s been good.”

Time will tell how that translates to play on the field.

“We’ve got a lot of new kids, a lot of seniors this year, and some varsity experience,” Raczek said. “It’s going to come down to whether these kids put on their big boy pants and are ready to play.”