Gilman, according to McGregor, is the ideal opponent for his team. He said Gilman is fundamentally sound and well-coached and playing the squad helps his staff see where the Stags? strengths and weaknesses are.

The game has other implications, too.

“Whoever wins it has a great shot of being No. 1 in the state,” McGregor said.

Offensively, McGregor sees Gilman as simple but effective.

“They want to be a two tight end or I-formation team and run downhill,” McGregor said. That is exactly what Gilman did last year.”

Heading into the half trailing, 12-0, last year, Gilman continued is hard running game and DeMatha ran out of gas. The key for DeMatha will be to limit mistakes.

“You can?t beat yourself. We have got to take advantage of opportunities,” McGregor said.

Gilman coach Biff Poggi said many of the same things about DeMatha.

“They are the most talented team we have ever played physically, from New York to Philly and everywhere else,” Poggi said.

Poggi said there will be no surprise in what Gilman attempts on offense. That said, he anticipates DeMatha loading eight or nine guys in the box. Still, Poggi offered a simple solution to the crowded trenches: Run right at them.

“We will play two tight [ends] and get a hat on everybody,” Poggi said. We are going to try to be systematic and move the ball down the field. There will be a lot of emotion in the game.”

Poggi anticipates a large home crowd at the game, as well as several busloads of Gilman fans.

“They have something to prove after last year,” Poggi said. “We expect a fast start. We have to weather that and remember that it is not a sprint; it is a marathon.”

GILMAN VS. DEMATHA

» When: 7:30 p.m. today

» Where: FedEx Field

» What to watch for: Nobody will be treading lightly at FedEx tonight. Gilman fullback Ben Eaton prefers to run through people rather than around them. Gilman, however, needs to watch out for DeMatha?s speedy tailbacks, senior Michael Cooper (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) and junior Ashby Christian (5-11, 190).