Man will become the first team outside of Madonna, Wheeling Central, Williamstown and Moorefield to compete for a Class A football state championship since Fayetteville in 1999 when it takes on the Blue Dons at 7 p.m. today at Wheeling Island Stadium.

But the No. 2 Hillbillies (12-1) and coach Harvey Arms are not satisfied with just crashing the party.

"Right after the ball game on [last] Friday, we said now that we've had a good season up to this point, and we've taken it a week at a time, now we don't want to be satisfied," Arms said. "We want to go prepare and go to win just like the rest of our games this season."

However, No. 1 Madonna (13-0) may pose many more problems than any other team the Hillbillies have faced, bringing with it to Wheeling an '85 Bears-like defense that has given up just 37 points all season. The Blue Dons' defensive unit has pitched seven shutouts and has not allowed a team to reach double digits.

"[They are good] because they play as a unit, that would be the number one thing," Madonna coach Bob Kramer said of his defense. "They play as a team and they always put good effort into what they do. These kids have played good 'D' since they were freshmen or younger. For them to play as well as they're doing is not really a big surprise, but it is a pleasant surprise."

Despite having confidence in his proven defense, Kramer admits that the Hillbillies' methodical running game could present problems for his team.

"Obviously they have a very good football team," Kramer said. "They are a ball-control team and they move the ball very well. You always have to be concerned with someone that controls the ball as much as they do."

The Hillbillies boast five running backs that have accumulated over 400 yards this season, led by Brandon Plymale who is well over 1,000 yards and has scored 12 rushing TDs.

Experience undoubtedly rests with Madonna, which is making its second-consecutive trip to the state title game and third since 2004. The Hillbillies have not appeared in a championship game since falling 14-10 to Grafton in the 1984 Class AA title tilt.

Arms knows that experience isn't the only thing the Blue Dons have going for them.

"We watched some of [last week's] game against Wheeling Central," said Arms. "They are a strong team with a good defense. They are quick, they get after you real good and they are really disciplined. We know it will be a tough game."

In addition to story lines, every championship game needs a little star power, and for Madonna that comes in the form of quarterback Max Nogay. Aside from leading the Blue Dons in rushing and passing for eight touchdowns, Nogay is 20-0 since taking over the starting quarterback position last season - Nogay played tailback in the state championship game last year due to a fractured right wrist. Nogay was also the captain of the Class A all-state baseball team and a state champion wrestler at 160 pounds last year.

Kramer has been pleased with his senior signal-caller's performance all season.

"Max is a great all around player," Kramer said. "We feel good when we get the ball in his hands so moving him to quarterback was a plus for us. He's a nice young man and a quality athlete."

Nogay has been a clutch performer during the playoffs, rushing for 224, 147 and 145 yards in the last three games.

The Hillbillies will try to combat Nogay with an opportunistic defense that has forced 18 fumbles and 16 interceptions this season, while only recording 14 giveaways on offense.

Even though they are the fresh faces in the title-game picture, Arms says his biggest job is to keep his team grounded leading up to tonight's game.

"We are trying to keep them down to earth and keep them out of the clouds," said Arms. "We're trying to keep them from being awed by the situation of playing in the finals. We're playing on turf which we've never played on and we're playing in a bigger stadium than we've ever played in, but we're telling them the game is the same no matter what stadium you're in and how big the crowd is."