Football Game Preview: Father Tolton vs. Lift for Life Academy Hawks

For the first time this season, Father Tolton will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will look to defend their home field on Friday against the Lift for Life Academy Hawks at 7:00 p.m. Father Tolton's defense has only allowed 12.3 points per game this season, so Lift for Life Academy's offense will have their work cut out for them.

Father Tolton will bounce into Friday's game after beating St. Francis Borgia, who they had gone 0-3 against in their three prior meetings. Father Tolton had just enough and edged out St. Francis Borgia 24-21. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory Father Tolton has posted since October 25, 2024.

Dominik Abadi

Passer Rating

10/03/25 @ St. Francis Borgia	112.3
11/15/24 vs Lafayette County	73.4
11/08/24 vs Centralia	137.5

Dominik Abadi was nothing short of spectacular: he rushed for 93 yards and one score, and also threw for 176 yards and one touchdown. What's more, he racked up 112.3 passer rating, the most he's had since back in November of 2024.

Father Tolton didn't let much get past them through the air: they limited St. Francis Borgia to a completion percentage of just 46.4%. Father Tolton wasn't nearly as limited: they posted one of 55%.

Meanwhile, after only 12 points in their last contest, Lift for Life Academy made sure to put some points up on the board against Murphysboro on Friday. The Hawks walked away with a 46-34 win over the Red Devils. Given the Hawks' advantage in MaxPreps' football rankings in their respective home states (they are ranked 38th in Missouri, while the Red Devils are ranked 288th in Illinois) , the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Lift for Life Academy's win came from a few key players Father Tolton will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Jay'Veon Scott, who rushed for 102 yards and a pair of TDs on only seven carries. He is becoming a predictor of Lift for Life Academy's success: when he posts at least 80 rushing yards the team is undefeated (and 1-2 when he doesn't). Phoenix Isaiah was another key passer, throwing for 188 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Lift for Life Academy's victory bumped their record up to 4-2. As for Father Tolton, their win bumped their record up to 5-1.