Thursday, November 29, 2007

No. 8 Arundel at No. 3 Suitland

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Records: Arundel 11-0, Suitland 11-0

How they got here: Arundel won the East Region by beating North County, 34-29, and Broadneck, 49-20; Suitland won the South Region by beating DuVal, 25-16, and Parkdale, 15-14.

Playoff history: Arundel is enjoying its most successful season since it advanced to the state semifinals in 1983.

The Wildcats have played in the state semifinals five times; they advanced to the title game in 1975 and 1979. Suitland is seeking its third state title in four years and is 4-0 all-time in semifinal games.

The Rams' past two championships (2004 and 2006) have come after semifinal victories over an Anne Arundel County opponent, though each of those games was against Broadneck, which lost to Arundel in last week's East Region final.

What to watch: The game will feature a contrast in styles.

Suitland prefers physical play, and Arundel runs a wide-open run-and-shoot offense that averages 35.5 points per game and has scored at least 24 points in every game this season.

Suitland is not overwhelming, but the Rams have taken advantage of opponents' mistakes and done just enough to keep advancing, despite trailing in the fourth quarter of both of their playoff games.

Quarterback Carlos Fields (15 touchdown passes with only three interceptions) seems to have a knack for making plays at just the right moment, and running back James Proctor is also usually involved. Proctor and backfield mate Darius Cain have both rushed for more than 1,000 yards.

Arundel will have less size up front than Suitland, but the Wildcats will try to combat that disadvantage by running a spread offense, often without a huddle. This has worn down other opponents, even though it typically means Arundel has less time of possession.

Quarterback Nick Elko is calm and comfortable guiding the aerial attack, and he's proven to be a dangerous runner, too. In 12 games, he has thrown for 2,624 yards and 38 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He has also kept defenses honest by rushing for 740 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"Defensively, I hope we're able to match up with them and their quarterback; that's Tim Tebow for us this week," Suitland Coach Nick Lynch said, referring to the University of Florida star. "He throws a real good football."

Beyond Elko's composure and experience, the route running and timing of the receivers is the key to the Wildcats' success. Brandon Johnson-Farrell (80 catches, 1,173 yards and 19 touchdowns) does everything well, and junior Alec Lemon (57 catches, 837 yards, 12 touchdowns) is a burner. Even if those two are slowed down, junior Sean Fitzgerald (35 catches, 340 yards) and senior Josh Hutchins (21 catches, 244 yards) are capable complements.

-- JOSH BARR