2A preview: Elma vs. Connell

Elma Eagles

Record: 11-1 overall, 5-0 in Southwest Washington League, North Division (1st).

Coach: Jim Hill, 72-19 in eight seasons.

Season snapshot: Defending state champion Eagles lost their second game, 21-10 to 3A Columbia River, then won 10 straight. Closest victory was bizarre 20-19 victory over Lynden Christian in Saturday's semifinal. Elma won after recovering in end zone when a Lyncs player ran out the clock but dropped the ball in end zone instead of downing it.

Scouting report: Elma must get a solid ground attack behind RB Todd Basler, who ran for only 24 yards against Lyncs, and get solid special-teams play.

Three to watch: QB/S Danny Hill (6-1, 185, Sr.) 78 of 150 passing for 2,024 yards, 24 TDs. RB/DL Basler (6-1, 225, Sr.) 263 carries, 1,916 rushing yards, 27 TDs. DE/C Spencer Richards (6-1, 250, Sr.).

Numerology: 97, touchdowns Basler has scored in four years at Elma, a state record for all classifications.

Playoff pedigree: Defending champs have earned six straight playoff appearances since 1997, winning it all that year and in 2001.

Inside slant: The school has 212 football season-ticket holders. A woman recently came in to sign up and was told the waiting list was about 10 years long. "That's OK," she said. "My son is just entering kindergarten."

Quick kick: "You feel a lot more comfortable being in this scenario if you've been here before, and the pressure isn't as great as it would be. But we still feel pressure because we have a lot of pride. We expect perfect things to happen to us." — Elma QB Danny Hill.

Connell Eagles

Record: 11-1 overall, 5-0 in Central Washington Athletic Conference, South Division (1st).

Coach: Wayne Riner (27-7, 3rd year).

Season snapshot: Since a 21-14 defeat to Cashmere in Week 2, Connell has won 10 straight, including 48-13 blowout over previously unbeaten Cashmere in semifinals.

Scouting report: Connell must stop Elma's Basler, and get some big plays on offense.

Three to watch: RB Steven Stoker (5-8, 175, Sr.) 190 carries for 2,192 rushing yards, 27 TDs. QB Roby Clyde (6-4, 210, Jr.) 72 of 169 passing for 1,241 yards, 20 TDs, 6 interceptions, and rushed for over 500 yards. LB/SE Wes Wieseler (6-0, 175, Sr.) leads team in tackles.

Numerology: 29, years since Connell's last trip to a state football title game.

Playoff pedigree: Eagles have reached 2A playoffs three of past four years, missing in 2000. Its last title appearance was in the Class A state final in 1973, first year of state playoffs.

Inside slant: Connell is in North Franklin School District, the second biggest in state, stretching about 700 square miles.

Quick kick: "When we entered camp this summer, we were the only Eastern 2A team playing the big boys. We were going against 3A and 4A powerhouses — Bethel, Walla Walla, Pasco, South Kitsap, a lot of the Spokane schools — and we felt we got the best of a lot of those teams. We knew right then we could play with anyone. We had something special." — Riner.