Pine’s Raiders continue the District 7-2 schedule tonight by battling St. Thomas Aquinas.

Pine begins the game with a 3-1 record after a district opening 42-28 victory over Archbishop Hannan.

Pine’s only loss was against Bogalusa, 49-23, two weeks ago, but the team bounced back last week in the win.

“We had a great week of practice last week,” Seal said. “It was very focused week, and then we went out and played our best game of the year.”

Currently, Pine is not ranked in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Poll but is listed under others receiving votes in Class 2A.

The Raiders are ranked 17th in the LHSAA Class 2A power rankings.

Pine has scored at least 42 points in three of the four contests, while allowing 20 or more in three of four match ups this season.

Raiders quarterback Derrick Dillon ran for 200 yards last week.

Devonta Pigott caught three passes for 100 yards and two scores against Hannan.

Pigott also intercepted a pass defensively.

Switching to defense, Seal said his unit has played really well.

“We gave up 28 points (last week), but they scored one on an interception, another on a blocked punt and one on a short field,” Seal said.

“Their scores were mainly because of our offense and special teams.”

Seal talked about the improvements defensively from last season to this year.

“I think our defensive line is better and having Tyrais (Robertson) back are the two main points. Our defensive tackles (Raquan Handy and Donovan Kreyffig) are playing well,” Seal said.

Also for Pine, Seth Brown recorded a pair of sacks against Hannan.

St. Thomas Aquinas also comes in with a 3-1 record.

The Falcons opened league play last week with a 49-23 win over Pope John Paul II.

The Falcons have scored 26 or more points in every game, but has allowed at least 21 in three games.

St. Thomas was victorious over Pine last season 61-20.

The Falcons moved up one spot to ninth in the LSWA Poll and is the number nine in the Division III power rankings.

St. Thomas runs the wing-T offense with Cameron Dantzler.

The running backs are Ralph Haynes and Jacob Bordok.

“Ralph is primarily in between the tackles and Bordok is more of an outside guy,” St. Thomas coach John White said.

The receivers are Jacob Becerra and Mason Miller.

Defensively, the Falcons are a 4-4 team.

The top defenders are backs Brad Shafer and Hunter Stanley.

White said the defense is improving each week.

“They’re starting to create more turnovers each week,” White said.

The Falcons coach said the team has forced about 10 turnovers the last two weeks.

After this week, Pine travels to play Pope John Paul II. A bye week follows and then Pine hosts Springfield.