MARYVILLE at LAMAR

âiâi WHEN - 1:30 today

âiâi BROADCASTS - 97.1 FM (KNIM), 1580 AM (KNIM), knimmaryville.com

âiâi RECORDS - Maryville 12-1, Lamar 7-6

âiâi PLAYERS TO WATCH - Maryville: With 2 interception returns for touchdowns, unheralded LB Tyler Peve remains vital cog in stingy Spoofhound defense as 1 of team's leading tacklers. Lamar: Tigers' fast-paced attack hinges on success of running game, which is powered by backfield combo of QB Trenton Doyle, RB Markell White.

âiâi NOTES - Spoofhounds back in semifinals for 2nd consecutive season after finishing as Class 2 runners-up a year ago to Clark County ... Lamar enters contest as 1 of hottest teams in all of Missouri. Tigers started season 1-6 before ripping off 6-game win streak that put them in semifinal round for 1st time in program history ... Once again, Maryville found way to pull out win in close contest during 35-32 victory against Hogan Prep in quarterfinals. Spoofhounds are 6-1 when game is decided by 1 possession - including 2-0 in postseason ... Lamar faced adversity, early deficit against Fair Grove in quarterfinals before rattling off 42 consecutive points in 42-14 win ... Following slow start, Tigers' Wing-T offense kicked into high gear just in time for late-season run, as team hasn't scored less than 28 points during current win streak ... Maryville allowed most points all season against Hogan Prep last week (32) but has held opponents to 8 points or less 7 times this year ... With win, Spoofhounds would advance to state championship for 4th time in history, although Spoofhounds' only title-game win came in 1982 with shutout against Duchesne.

WELLINGTON-NAPOLEoN

at HAMILTON

âiâi WHEN - 1:30 today

âiâi BROADCASTS - 95.5 FM (KAAN), 870 AM (KAAN), northwestmoinfo.com

âiâi RECORDS - Wellington-Napoleon 12-1, Hamilton 12-0

âiâi PLAYERS TO WATCH - Wellington-Napoleon: Dual-threat quarterback Caleb Kropp capable of making big plays all over field for Tigers' diverse, high-scoring offense. Hamilton: Junior RB Trevor Dixon saving his absolute best for late in season by running for 369 yards, 7 touchdowns during past 2 playoff games.

âiâi NOTES - Hornets advanced to semifinals for 1st time since 1986 with dominant victory against Mid-Buchanan, giving Hamilton 2nd final four appearance in program history ... Thanks to shutout of Marceline, Wellington-Napoleon also broke lengthy semifinal drought that dated back to 1995 ... Teams have common opponent in powerhouse Orrick, which upended Tigers in Week 3 before suffering blowout against Hamilton in sectional play ... Both squads playing with new sense of purpose after stern tests in regional play. Hornets squeaked past Braymer (17-14) while Wellington-Napoleon needed 5 total touchdowns from Kropp to outpace Westran (48-41) ... Hamilton has never advanced to state title game, while Tigers' only appearance came in 1995 as runners-up to Valle Catholic ... Unlike Wellington-Napoleon's balanced attack, Hornets do almost all of damage in powerful run game. Led by Dixon, Hamilton has amassed more than 3,600 yards, 66 TDs on ground this year, while 4 players have chewed up 450 yards or more ... Tigers' defensive front capable of keeping game close, though, with talents like Cody Banner, Dylon Register leading way.