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Coach Jason VanDerMaas, his staff and team don't have do any guesswork, though, over what Detroit Country Day will bring to the table.

The Cros-Lex Pioneers (9-3) are set to take on Country Day (10-2) in a Division 4 State semifinal match-up at Macomb Dakota High School, kick-off 1 p.m. The game originally was set for Oxford High School, but was switched because Dakota has a turf surface and Oxford does not.

It is no secret that the Yellowjackets, who lost to Marine City in the State championship game a year ago, are going to run the football out of the 'I formation, and then run some more. They ran the ball 52 times in the 21-7 loss to the Mariners just less than a year ago.

The Pioneers slowed down a run-oriented Clintondale team in their Regional win last Friday. The difference from Country Day to Clintondale is the scheme, a methodical power running attack.

"They like to run the football," strongly pointed out VanDerMaas. "We have to stop the run and force them to throw the ball. And, hopefully, we have the (weather) conditions that are favorable to our type of game."

Cros-Lex uses the 'spread' offense, made to give space to run or pass. Country Day, meanwhile, will give the ball to senior tailback O'Neil Swanson 75% of the time.

Swanson carried 34 times for a grinding 104 yards and three touchdowns in the Yellowjackets' 21-0 Regional win over Marshall last week. For the season, Swanson (5'11", 170), has rushed for over 1,200 yards this season.

"He's a great back," said VanDerMaas. "He has good patience and he has a good line in front of him. We're going to have to tackle well again, just like (against) Clintondale.

Senior receiver Bennie Fowler is another option for Coach Dan MacLean of Country Day. The 6'1" 185 pound speedster who has verbally committed to Michigan State, is a deep threat, but also gets a few touches as a running back..

"He'll swing over into the backfield," added VanDerMaas, " and they have a quarterback that can run."

Coach MacLean, who says his offense is not really one-dimensional, added, "Benny's very athletic. We try to create opportunities for him, and he also opens it up for O'Neil."

Overall, the Yellowjackets, who are riding an eight-game winning streak, return eight starters on offense and seven on defense from last year's team that played in the title game at Ford Field.

MacLean, though, is very concerned about stopping the Pioneers. "I was particularly impressed with their win over Clintondale. Their quarterback, obviously, is a fine player. They do a lot of things (in the spread) and take at advantage of situations."

The Pioneers will be the first team that Country Day has played this season that solely uses the spread. "Everybody seems to use a little bit of (the spread)," added MacLean, " but not to the extent that (Cros-Lex) does."

The Yellowjackets have a veteran offensive line led by seniors Tim MacLean, a three-year starter, and Stephen Kemp, a two-year veteran. On defense, linebackers Cameron Seichter and Jason Ray lead a group that has posted two straight shutouts, and given up just one TD in their three playoff contests overall.

The Pioneers will be looking for another solid performance from its small, but quick defensive unit that grudgingly gave up four TDs to an explosive Clintondale squad.

VanDerMaas also most have another good game from the offense, led by senior quarterback Cameron Barrett. With a team like Country Day that can grind it out and eat up the clock, too many three-and-out possessions for C-L could be fatal.

Barrett knows what his team must do on offense.

"Use ball control. We have to execute," said the senior co-captain.

He added that getting to the semis is definitely important to the program and this year's team. "It's big. We knew coming into the season we had a chance (to do well). It was a matter of putting it all together, and a matter of just cutting down our mistakes."

VanDerMaas, again, is stressing to his team to make another step forward this week.

"We talk to the kids about getting better each week and peaking in November. That seems to be happening. Now we want it to happen in late November.

"I've got a lot of faith in our kids," continued VanDerMaas. "They've got big hearts and play hard. That's all I can ask."

Saturday's winner at Dakota Stadium will head to Ford Field in Detroit for the Division 4 State Championship game, set for 7:30 p.m., Friday, November 28. The opponent will either be Grand Rapids Catholic Central (9-3) or undefeated, and No. 1 ranked Holland Christian (12-0), who face-off Saturday at East Kentwood High School in the other semifinal clash.