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No. 2 Western Alamance at No. 5 Northeast Guilford, 7:30 p.m. today

Keys for No. 2 WESTERN ALAMANCE (7-0, 2-0)

The Warriors' offense can strike quickly, but coach Hal Capps would like to see his team manage the clock with some ground gainers tonight. Then again, he said, "I don't want to do anything to change the rhythm of our offense. It would be a terrible thing to slow it down. Our kids want to go-go-go." QB Donald Britt has found myriad ways to get Levon Curtis the ball no matter where the sensational senior lines up, which is just about everywhere.

Keys for NO. 5 NORTHEAST GUILFORD (5-1, 1-0)

The Rams' depleted defense must find ways to keep Curtis under wraps. On offense, Kendall Bratcher, who's nursing injuries, won't start at quarterback. FB Tyler Woods has carried a bigger load in recent weeks and can expect 30-plus carries tonight behind a big offensive line that will have to create holes and keep the ball in Northeast's hands for time-eating drives.

Last Year

Western Alamance won at home 35-28 on Oct. 9, 2006. The Warriors built a 28-14 halftime lead behind a solid ground game that netted 209 yards and put Britt in the end zone three times. Northeast rushed for 260 yards, including 152 from Woods. A third-quarter interception return for a score helped the Rams rally. But with Bratcher sidelined by injury, Northeast fell short.

-- Jeff Carlton