It's a reoccurring theme in Section 5AA football: Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City against Eden Valley-Watkins.
In each of the last three seasons, the Eagles and the Falcons have met at some point in the section playoffs, and each time EVW has prevailed.
ACGC (9-1) will look for a different end in this updating chapter as the Falcons meet EVW for another section title at 5:30 p.m. today at Husky Stadium in St. Cloud.
The playoff rivalry started in 2004 as the Eagles scored 42 points in the first half and beat the Falcons 49-2 for the section crown.
In 2005, the Falcons were the section's top seed. But the Eagles had their way again, winning 34-7.
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Last season, EVW's Kiel Tschumperlin threw three touchdown passes which led to ACGC's 36-20 loss.
This year, the Falcons are the No. 2 seed in the section, winners of their last eight games, and the Eagles are No. 1 with a 10-0 record.
On paper, the teams appear to be evenly matched. Eden Valley-Watkins is averaging 42 points per game scoring while giving up a miniscule 8 points per contest.
ACGC is only slightly less prolific at almost 40 points scoring and under 10 points allowed.
"Their teams are the same. Offensively, their schemes are very similar," said ACGC coach Terry Karlsgodt. "Their personnel hasn't changed a lot from last year. They have a lot of excellent athletes and a lot of speed."
EVW has Tschumperlin back, who is a three-year starter. He has thrown for 1,241 yards and 20 TDs in 2007 with only five interceptions. The Eagles also have a 1,000-yard rusher in Jerrod Nohner (1,275 yards this season). He rushed for 133 yards against the Falcons last year.
The Falcons counter with quarterback Jordan Tanner with 910 yards passing, 11 TDs and five INTs. On the ground, ACGC has the thunder-and-lightning attack of Kurtis Huisman with 1,199 yards rushing and 10 TDs, and Nic Leither, who muscled out 15 TDs.
"We think that we are a much improved team from a year ago in a lot of different ways," Karlsgodt said. "Our kids are bigger and stronger, and a little quicker. We feel are better balanced on offense. Our kids have adjusted to our schemes really well and they are heady players. We feel we can put 11 solid players on the field every time."
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ACGC's defense likes to force turnovers, with Travis Frederiksen tying for the area lead in interceptions with nine. Leither is among area leaders in sacks with six.
The winner of today's game will meet the Section 8AA winner in the state quarterfinals at Morris' Big Cat Stadium Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.
