Iowa can clinch the District 3-3A title with a win over St. Louis Catholic tonight, while a St. Louis win clinches it a share of the crown.

The teams will play at Sulphur’s Matt Walker Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. today.

Iowa (7-1, 5-0) enters on a five-game winning streak, during which it has outscored opponents 157-45. Two of the wins were shutouts. Running back Ronald Young (1,114 yards, 8 TDs) powers the Yellow Jackets offense.

St. Louis (7-1, 4-0) has also won five consecutive games, averaging 39 points a game during the streak. After giving up 51 points in a Week 3 loss to Vidor (Texas), the Saints have allowed 68 points over the last five games. Quarterback James Reina (757 rushing yards, 1,241 passing yards, 30 total TDs) leads the Saints attack.

Yellow Jackets head coach Tommy Johns said slowing Reina will be his team’s top priority.

“It all starts and stops with Reina,” Johns said. “He can run, he can throw and they have several receivers who are good.

“Grant Evans is a deep-ball threat and can also run slants; he is big and tough to bring down. Brooks Habetz can go, as well as Trey Tate. They rotate several running backs. They are going to be a load to stop.

“Defensively, they return a lot of guys from last year. The two linebackers are very good and the defensive backs made several good plays against Lake Charles College Prep (a 23-13 Saints win in Week 7).Obviously their kicking game goes without saying. They are solid.”

Johns said adaptability has been the key to his team’s success.

“The biggest thing for us has been knowing we’d have to win games in different ways,” he said. “We lost two receivers before the season. Against Prep (a 17-16 Iowa win last week) we were not as big and they were more athletic. We had to change a few things to be able to match up.”

Saints head coach Brock Matherne said his team will have to slow the Iowa ground game.

“Ronald Young is a great running back,” he said. “Their offensive line is very good and I have a ton of respect for their coaching staff. They are known for having their defense rolling under Coach Johns and they are playing really well right now.”

Matherne said his team is playing well in all phases as of late.

“The main key for us is running the football and we have done that all year,” he said. “We are starting to find a groove in the passing game, which I have been pleased with, and I am very happy with the way the defense has been playing.”

With points likely at a premium, Matherne said ball security will be crucial.

“Takeaways are the biggest thing — can we take the ball away and can we protect it?” he said. “I think the team that turns the ball over the least will win the game.

“Special teams will be important. We put a big emphasis on that. We are looking to win that battle. They are good on special teams and we think we are too. Holding on to the football on offense and not giving them any extra opportunities and us capitalizing on things in special teams will be big.”