St. Thomas trying to complete unbeaten season in D2 football final

The St. Thomas High School football team hasn't had a regular-season game against Windham since 2012.

But to Saints coach Eric Cumba, it still feels like the Jaguars have been on his team's schedule.

For the third time in Cumba's five years as head coach, St. Thomas will play Windham for a division championship when the two teams meet Sunday at 2:30 p.m. for the Division II title game at the University of New Hampshire's Cowell Stadium.

The Saints took the first title-game meeting back in 2011 when both teams where in Division V, but last year, Windham completed an undefeated season for its first title in the D2 finale.

"It's funny when you look at it," Cumba said. "The ultimate goal is to get there and win, and here it is, it's the same opponent. The kids will say they wanted to get a second shot at them, and at the same time, we have an idea what they're all about."

Despite being undefeated at 10-0 and the No. 1 seed, the Saints have a bit of a chip on their shoulder after a regular season that saw them pile up big wins over teams with losing records. But in two playoff games, St. Thomas has been able to turn in a big second half on the way to beating a tough opponent by multiple scores.

That includes last weekend's 51-20 win over Milford in which the Saints took the lead early and blew the game open on the first play of the fourth quarter.

"The kids read and hear what people say," Cumba said. "They were told we hadn't played anyone, we hadn't played a tough team yet. (The playoffs) showed we're ready to play, regardless of who the opponent is."

For the Saints, it starts with quarterback Stephen Hedberg, who followed up a record-setting junior season with an even better senior campaign. A year ago, the quarterback threw a state-record 35 touchdown passes, and this year, he enters his final game with 30, while throwing for over two thousand yards and six interceptions.

"He's picked up where he left off," Cumba said of Hedberg. "He's not on the pace he was in terms of statistics, but he also has played less. He's brought a real powerful calming effect. When things get tight, you look at him and he's always the same level. If he's calm, other people are going to be."

Although his team was on this stage a year ago, Cumba still expects to see some championship jitters from his team. He hopes that there will be enough time during warmups to get rid of any nerves.

"We have to get off the bus and limit the anxiety that the game is going to bring," he said. "We have to enjoy the moment, but also understand, once the first play is snapped, it's just another game."