Thursday, December 4, 2008

· What: No. 9 Westlake vs. No. 7 Wilde Lake

· When: 7 tonight

· Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

· Records: Wolverines 11-2, Wildecats 12-1

· How They Got There: Westlake defeated No. 12 Seneca Valley, 24-21, in the state semifinals with a game-winning field goal in overtime. The Wildecats beat Hereford, 42-16.

· Finals History: This is the first state title game appearance for the Wolverines since they finished as runners-up in 1996. They have never won a state title. Wilde Lake is playing for its sixth championship in its first finals berth since 1997.

· What to Watch: These two run-heavy teams are near mirror images, Wildecats Coach Doug DuVall said, and each will try to shut down the game's speedsters, Westlake's Devon Smith and Wilde Lake's Jerrel Epps.

· Deciding Factor: Smith. Arguably no player in the Washington area has Smith's acceleration. He's expected to make big plays, and if the Wildecats can't slow him, they'll face an uphill battle.

-- KATIE CARRERA