The Lexington Minutemen are counting the hours.

"It's tough to concentrate in class," Lexington coach Mike Castleman told News 25. "It's really tough to stay focused on the curriculum right now."

What Castleman's been focused on is Friday, when undefeated Lexington plays 10–3 Tuscola for the 1–A state title. It's hard to believe that, a year ago, the very same Minutemen squad failed to even make the playoffs after going 3–6.

"We still think about last year every week," said running back T.J. Stinde, who leads the nation in rushing with 3,197 yards. "We come out and play our hardest so that doesn't happen again."

Castleman thought his team would be better this season, but he didn't anticipate this.

"We really thought coming into the year that 7–2 would be a great year for us. Our schedule was tough and we thought we'd win a playoff game or two and we would be pretty happy about things. After we played Gibson City we knew there was something different. And that really has played out."

While Lexington has turned things around, the Metamora Redbirds are like money in the bank. Practically a high school football dynasty, 12–1 Metamora faces 11–2 Geneseo in the 4–A championship game, a matchup Redbirds' coach Pat Ryan is really looking forward to.

"I think the neat thing about it is, in this day and age, with the spread offense and all of the throwing, for two running teams to be in a title game it makes you feel good about still running the football," said Ryan.

And because of that Ryan expects an old–fashioned, smash–mouth game tomorrow. Nothing like last week's classic shootout with Rochester.

"It won't be 40–40. There won't be enough time. We'll have to play all night to make it 40–40. I think it's one of those games where field position becomes extremely important. You just can't turn the ball over. You're not going to have as many possessions, so every possession is very, very sacred."