Matt Strasen / Amarillo Globe-News Stratford's Klinton Keener, left, Braden Hamilton (70) and Tyler Wright sack New Deal quarterback Isaac Chavez-Ward for a safety Friday at Dick Bivins Stadium. A strong rush defense combined with 307 yards for the Elks on the ground, helped the team overcome four lost fumbles and two interceptions to win, 38-28.

The Stratford Elks will be playing in their 43rd playoff game of the decade while the Albany Lions will be playing in their 30th postseason game this decade.

And for the second straight year the teams will be meeting in the Class 1A Division II state semifinals at 7 tonight at Wolfforth's Tiger Stadium.

Last year, the teams played for the first time ever at Lubbock's Lowrey Field where the Elks won 28-0.

While the Elks have been perhaps the most dominant 11-man football team in the Panhandle during the decade, Albany, a town located about 30 miles north of Abilene, has been nearly as good in its area.

Stratford has won three state championships since 2000 and is going for its second in a row. The Elks have made the playoffs every year since 1999 and have reached the state semifinals eight times including seven during the current decade.

Albany has made the playoffs nine times this decade, missing only in 2001, and is playing in its second consecutive semifinal game.

The Lions own two state titles (in 1960 and 1961), but haven't been to the championship game since 1991.

Last year's win by the Elks was achieved thanks to a dominating running attack that accounted for 206 of their 309 yards total offense and a defense that held Albany to 108 total yards including 52 rushing.

The teams again feature outstanding rushing attacks this season. Stratford is averaging 306 yards per game on the ground, led by junior Bryce Cummings (1,804 yards on 216 carries with 22 TDs) and senior Klinton Keener (156-894 and 12 TDs).

Albany's rushing leader is Elijah Hudson who has 2,306 yards and 38 TDs.

''They are a great team,'' said Cummings, ''and we know that we'll have to play our best.''

The Elks won last week's quarterfinal matchup against New Deal despite losing four of nine fumbles and having two passes intercepted.

''We will have to take care of the ball better this week,'' said Cummings. ''We were fortunate to get out with the win last week.''

Both coaches expect a tough, hard-nosed game between two experienced playoff teams.

''Stratford is physical and has a great line on both sides of the ball,'' said Albany head coach Denny Faith. ''They run the ball well and play great defense. The key for us is to play as error-free as possible.''

Elks head coach Eddie Metcalf echoed Faith's assessment of the game.

''Teams that get to this point in the playoffs are good,'' he said. ''The games most often come down to which one does the little things best and makes the fewest mistakes.

''We survived last week with a lot of turnovers, but you can't expect to do that very often this deep in the playoffs. We worked hard all week to correct those mistakes.''

Albany's defense has been especially good this season in the turnover ratio category. While the Lions have turned the ball over 26 times, their defense has 51 takeaways for a plus-25 ratio. At least 15 of their scoring drives this season have been 20 yards or less, meaning they've operated with a short field a lot of times.

Stratford's run defense has allowed just over 70 yards per game this season and overall the Elks allow 216 yards per game.

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Up Next

# The Game: Stratford Elks (11-2) vs. Albany Lions (14-0), in a Class 1A Division II state semifinal at 7 p.m. today at Wolfforth's Tiger Stadium.

# Did You Know: The Elks will be playing their 43rd playoff game this decade while the Lions will be playing in their 30th playoff game of the decade.

# Up Next: The winner will meet Cayuga or Ganado in the state championship game.