It will be battle of speed versus size when TGU and Central McLean meet today in the State 9-man quarterfinals.

TGU brings the speed and is fresh off an upset win over formerly undefeated and No. 1 ranked Mott-Regent last Saturday. Central McLean is coming off a physical win over another physical team in St. John.

The Titans will travel to Turtle Lake to face the Cougars on one of their two home fields starting at 1:30 p.m. today. Both TGU head coach Scott Thorson and Central McLean co-head coach Kevin Dockter know what to expect when the two teams line up today.

"I guess they've got the size and they are going to pound it right at you," Thorson said. "We know we aren't going to match them physically. I won't say they will be dominant there, but they for sure have the edge physically, so we are going to have to utilize our speed."

Dockter knows the speed of TGU brings, but he also knows the Titans bring versatility.

"I think No. 1, they have got a very balanced team," he said. "They have a good quarterback, running backs and some size on the line. We know that TGU's quarterback (Tyler Thorson) is talented in the run and with the pass, so we know they are going to spread the ball around quite a bit. They are well-coached and they are going to come ready to play."

Tyler Thorson has been solid for the Titans over the latter part of the season, when the team was without starting tailback Ian Keller. Along with fullback/converted tailback Trevin Hall and Travis Smette, the Titans hardly missed a step. Thorson passed for 133 yards and a score last weekend against M-R, while Keller marked his return with a 29-yard touchdown run in limited time in the backfield.

"Ian was back full-time on defense but he didn't play in the backfield too much. We're hoping to get him some more time Saturday," coach Thorson said. "(Keller's absence) has put a load on Tyler, and Trevin Hall and Travis Smette. Tyler has been the focus of a lot of teams we've played so that's opened up things for the other guys too, but Tyler's handled it well and he's still producing yards."

CM's attack offensively is simple but effective - hard-nosed football right in your face.

"I think we need to continue to do the things we've done all year - run the ball and play solid defense," Dockter said. "Our lineman have played well all year and we really have decent size across the board so we want to utilize it."

It's no secret as to who the Cougars' main offensive threat is. Grant Singer has been focus of most opposing teams but the Turtle Lake senior has been solid at the running back position. In last week's win over St. John, Singer rushed for a hard-fought 73 yards on 18 carries. He was aided by back-up quarterback Matt Landenberger, who emerged to score twice on consecutive plays and rushed for 106 yards on just eight carries in the second-round win.

TGU coach Thorson is hoping to counter the Cougars' size on offense by getting to the ball quicker with the Titans' speed.

"We need to be able to attack them and make backs like Singer and (Landenberger) change direction," he said. "If we can get in there fast enough, we stand a better chance of stalling them long enough to get some help and make some tackles."

One positive for the TGU defense is the fact it held Mott-Regent to just six points in last week's win. While he wasn't completely surprised with the defensive effort of his team, Scott Thorson wasn't expecting to hold the Wildfire to such a low score.

"I am surprised we held them to 6 but I'm not surprised that we played well defensively," he said. "I had a hunch we could play well, but holding them to six was a pleasant surprise. We found some bright spots defensively and that was the main thing. I guess we have improved as each game has gone along and we found out last week that we can play with, and beat good teams on the road."

The Cougars are also playing well defensively, and they also held Mott-Regent to just 6 points during the regular season. Dockter added that the Cougars are happy with the way they've played and with being able to play at home with possibly good weather.

"We're excited," he said. "We're winning and we're still in it. We've been playing in some poor conditions for what seems like forever, so hopefully we can get come decent weather (today). It would be nice."

Wells County set for

rematch with Braves.

Earlier this month, Region 4 champion Wells County (8-1) used a big second half to earn a 33-24 comeback over Region 5 champ Parshall-White Shield (7-2).

As fate would have it, the Bears will once again travel to Parshall to take on the Braves. One team will be looking for a repeat performance, while the other is searching for some redemption in today's 9-man State Playoff quarterfinals.

"They are a good team and when we played them last time it was a good ball game," WC head coach Jon Bertsch said. "There will definitely be some familiarity between the teams, so I think it's going to come down to execution. The team that can execute the best is going to have the advantage."

Both teams are coming off of stout defensive performances.

The Braves held Beach to a single touchdown in a decisive 26-6 win at home. In that game, P-WS's three-headed running attack of quarterback Jaren Enockson and running backs Payton Two Crow and Cole Henderickson rushed for a combined 217 yards. All three have big-play capability and will be a test for the Bears' defense.

WC should be up to the task as they also limited their second round opponent, Kenmare-Bowbells-Burke Central. The Bears held the Honkers to just a single score in a 32-6 win. Bertsch feels WC didn't bring that same type of defensive intensity when they last played the Braves, but feels it's going to be vital this afternoon.

"We have to come out and play well defensively this time," he said. "Last time we gave up some big plays to them. We had missed assignments, and we were just trying too hard and not playing smart defensively the last time. We need to play the way we did last week against (K-B-BC). We need to play under control but aggressive and to the ball."

Offensively, Wells County will look for a little more balance. Running back Kelby Houchin has been the catalyst for the Bears offense throughout the season, including a four touchdown performance in last Saturday's win. While it may not hinge on complete success, Bertsch feels the Bears need the balance on offense.

"We're a run team and we like to run the football and if we can get Kelby some help, we should do well," he said. "Logan Neumiller stepped up last Saturday and had his first 100 yard game of the season, so we'll look for him to provide that same type of performance. Also the last time we played Parshall we only threw two passes in the entire, so hopefully we can do a little better there.

"We aren't going to completely stray away from what we like to do, but we need to able to mix things if we need too."

With both teams playing at the top of their games on both offense and defense, Bertsch said his team is excited about the prospect of a very good game.

"We're ready to play and it's exciting," he said. "Two good teams that will be ready to play well. We had another good week and we're going to go out and play the best we can. If we come out on top that's great, if we fall but still play our best, we can't ask for much more. It should be a great game."