If the St. Joseph and Shoreland Lutheran football teams can top the drama from their last meeting, all of those in attendance will be in for a real treat at 7 tonight in Somers.

Last year’s first-ever Midwest Classic Conference matchup was the best high school football game that I covered during the 2008 season.

It came down to one play.

After scoring a touchdown with 32 seconds remaining, the gutsy Lancers opted to go for a game-winning two-point conversion.

Following a pair of nerve-wracking timeouts, the Lancers were stopped just short of the goal line when Shoreland linebacker Tony DiCastri tackled running back Ethan Jorgensen at the 1-yard line to preserve a wild 28-27 Pacer victory at Ameche Field.

What a way to kick off a budding football rivalry.

“It was a fun game,” St. Joseph coach Jim Kenesie said.

“I actually watched it again this week. We had a good effort against them and Shoreland played well.

“I expect a similar contest this week. Shoreland is going to be ready to play.

“We’re going to have to come with our ‘A’ game. We’re looking forward to going out there and getting a win.”

Both Kenesie and Shoreland coach Mark Stein referred to the other team as a “crosstown rival” in separate interviews on Thursday.

Proximity and playing in the same conference plays a large part in that.

“Our kids are excited to play St. Joe’s,” Stein said. “They’re definitely up for it. I think last year’s game was a classic example of the fact that St. Joe’s plays hard all the time and will never give up. They’re going to play us as hard as they possibly can the entire time. Our kids have to be ready for that challenge.”

Kenesie acknowledged that there was more excitement in practice this week with the Pacers up next on the schedule.

“Even though we don’t have a real deep history of playing each other, it’s an important game for us,” he said.

“It’s still business as usual, but it’s certainly one team that we’re going to make sure that we’re ready for.”

Making tonight’s matchup even more interesting is the fact that both teams are in need of a victory.

St. Joseph has lost four in a row since winning its season opener. The frustrated Lancers have lost their three conference games by an average of 6.7 points.

Shoreland is coming off back-to-back losses to Racine St. Catherine’s and Burlington Catholic Central. It is the first time that the Pacers have lost two in a row since the 2007 season.

“We’re struggling,” Stein said. “We’ve played two good football teams. You have to give a lot of credit to Catholic Central and St. Catherine’s.

“I think our kids have refocused this week. We’ve had a very good week of preparation. Hopefully we can turn the ship around.”

Andrew Horschak has been covering high school football for the Kenosha News. Contact him at ahorschak@kenoshanews.com

*Note: For preview capsules on all County high school football games, pick up a copy of Friday’s News ... For game coverage, read Saturday’s News. ... The Monday Morning Quarterback will recap the local high school football weekend on Monday.