By Chris Parker

Seneca has been one of, if not the most, dominant football teams in the state this season. No team has come within 19 points the whole season. The Indians are unbeaten and looking for the program’s third state title in its ninth trip to the championship game. The last time Seneca won a state title was in 1995.

Standing in the way is a one-loss Blair Oaks team that has won five state titles. The Falcons suffered their only loss in Week 2 to Class 4 state finalist Lutheran North by a 58-28 decision.

The two teams kick off at 11 am on Saturday at Mizzou.

KEY MATCHUP: Seneca’s historic rushing attack vs. Blair Oaks stout run defense

Seneca has had one of the most productive rushing attacks in state history this season. (more on that below). The Indians have rushed for 5,309 total yards averaging 9.58 yards per carry with 68 rushing touchdowns.

The Indians are well on their way to three 1,000-yard rushers. Roman Miller leads the way with 1,649 yards and 27 touchdowns. Quarterback Kaden Clouse has 1,515 yards rushing with 15 touchdowns to go with 1,013 yards passing and 17 touchdowns. Brodie Probert needs just nine yards on Saturday to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark.

Nobody has been able to slow this Seneca rushing attack down this season.

Blair Oaks has been incredible against the run this season. The Falcons have held opponents to 1,009 total rushing yards averaging 2.73 yards per carry.

This will be strength on strength and the biggest factor in deciding the game.

A GAME FOUR YEARS IN THE MAKING

Saturday’s game is culmination of four years of growth for the Seneca football program.

After the state semifinal shutout win over Lift for Life, Seneca head coach Cody Hilburn said: “It’s just been building for four years. Four years ago we got in and won a district championship, it had been a while since we’d done that. A year later we made a semifinal. A year later we go to the championship game. It’s just been a growing process for our program. Now our kids have seen everything and I think that’s a big part of it.”

Eight of the starters for the record-setting offense are seniors who have experience on the Faurot Field turf. Saturday should be a great battle between the teams who sat at 1 & 2 in the Class 3 state rankings for most of the season.

RECORD WATCH

As I alluded to above, Seneca is doing some historic things on offense this season.

The Indians’ 5,309 total rushing yards is already fourth-most in state history for a single season. If Seneca can rush for 330 yards, they will move into No. 2 all time behind Lamar which rushed for a staggering 6,828 yards in 2013.

The 68 rushing touchdowns are No. 13 all-time in a single season. Five more rushing touchdowns would vault the Indians into a tie for fifth all-time.

Seneca comes in with 263 total first downs on offense which is No. 3 all-time and just seven first downs away from the No. 2 mark set in 1987 by Hillsboro.

The Indians are averaging 506 yards per game, which, if they can keep that average up, will make them just the 10^th offense in Missouri history to average 500 yards per game.

For total offense, Seneca is at 6,588 which stands at No. 7 in Missouri history. A 412-yard game would make Seneca just the fourth offense in Missouri history to total 7,000 total yards.

At 668 total points, Seneca is No. 20 all-time.

TEAM COMPARISON

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