The Indians used smothering defense to record a 37-16 victory over Hayti.

By Jeremy Joffray ~ Southeast Missourian

For the second straight year St. Vincent made an emphatic statement in a key Class 1 District 1 matchup with Hayti.

Last year St. Vincent rolled over Hayti 27-0 in the first week of district play to knock off the two-time defending district champions. On Thursday, it was much of the same as St. Vincent jumped out to a 37-0 lead early in the fourth quarter and eventually won 37-16 at home in a battle of district unbeatens.

St. Vincent won its second straight district title and seventh in nine years. The Indians will play on the road in a sectional game on Wednesday. Last season the Indians were eliminated in the sectional round by Paris.

"They set a goal early to win the conference and district -- and to play in state and see how far they can advance," St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler said.

Once again it was the St. Vincent defense which stole the show. St. Vincent, which had allowed only 60 points in nine games this season, held Hayti to 42 first-half yards, including only three yards on the ground. Adding to its defensive accomplishments in the opening half, St. Vincent picked off Hayti quarterback Josh White three times.

"They came to play," Winkler said of his defense. "They wrapped up. They hit some people. They flew around the football."

It was St. Vincent's defense that made the first key play of the game. After setting up Hayti on the 28-yard line after a poor punt, St. Vincent was able to pick off White in the end zone on a fourth-and-goal play to keep Hayti off the scoreboard.

St. Vincent's second interception set up a field-goal attempt from Kyle Kline early in the second quarter. It was not until later in the quarter that St. Vincent finally got the scoring going. Waylon Richardet capped a strong rushing drive with a 1-yard run to give St. Vincent a 7-0 lead with 3:53 remaining in the half.

Kline gave St. Vincent good field position right before halftime by picking off White for the third time in the half. St. Vincent's third interception led to points as Kline connected on a 22-yards field goal with 16.8 seconds remaining for a 10-0 lead.

At the half, St. Vincent had outrushed Hayti 85 to 3, and led in total yardage 110 to 42.

"We knew it was going to be a wet ball game, so we had to control the line of scrimmage," Winkler said.

Kline was everywhere in the third quarter, adding field goals of 38 and 24 yards, plus a 19-yard touchdown run. Richardet added another touchdown run for St. Vincent, this time from 23 yards out. By the time the buzzer sounded to end the third quarter, St. Vincent had built a 30-0 lead.

"When you play with heart and emotion, you can do a lot of good things," Winkler said.

St. Vincent backup quarterback Tim Guilliams launched a 56-yard touchdown pass to Joey Guilliams early in the fourth quarter to finish the Indians' scoring. Hayti added a pair of touchdowns in the final six minutes.

Hayti running back Tremayne Pickens was held to 12 yards on 15 carries. Pickens entered the game with 880 yards rushing. Richardet led St. Vincent with 54 yards rushing, Dustin Winkler had 45, and Kline had 38.

"They've got some quick backs, but I think our players stayed disciplined and flew to the football," Winkler said.