When the Falcons step onto the turf at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Friday afternoon, it will mark the third time in the last four years that they will play for the Class 1A state title, a stretch that includes the 2004 championship.

The only thing standing in the way of the second state football crown in St. Albert and Council Bluffs history is a Montezuma team with a deceiving 9-3 record and playing in its first-ever championship game. The title tilt kicks off at 3:30 p.m. and will be aired live locally on CBTV-17.

The Braves started off their season with three straight losses, but have turned around to reel off nine straight wins, four via shutout. One of the teams who failed to score against Montezuma was defending 1A champion Iowa City Regina, and the Braves also blanked No. 7 ranked Saint Ansgar in the semifinals.

"They are real strong on defense, that's probably their strongest suit," St. Albert coach Jim Duggan said of Montezuma. "They're real fast and they fly to the ball."

The Falcons, who took a similar path to the finals by starting the season 1-2 and winning their next nine in a row, boast a talented defense of their own.

St. Albert has thrown shutouts in three of its last four games, and has averaged 30.25 points during that stretch.

The playoffs seem to bring out the best in the Falcons, who lost three regular season games a year ago before rebounding to make it to the semifinals.

"I just think it's the tradition of the playoffs and the program in general," Duggan said of the postseason success. "The kids have the will to win ... they just refuse to lose."

It's been a well-balanced attack that has led the Falcons this deep into the season.

Healthy all season, running back Jeremy Schieffer has put together a big senior campaign, rushing for 1,461 yards on 191 carries (7.6 yards-per-carry) and 16 touchdowns. Fullback Doug Moran and quarterback Nolan Batten have rushed for around 300 yards apiece, with Moran punching in five scores and Batten 11.

Batten has also completed 70 of his 135 passing attempts on the year for 903 yards and eight touchdowns. Cameron Tucker has hauled in 30 receptions for 409 yards.

"We've had some great teams over the years, and this team is as great as any team we've ever had," said Duggan, who has a record of 64-14 in his seven years with St. Albert. "The last four weeks, it really has been a total team effort."

The offensive line - consisting of Chris McKenzie, Andrew Knuth, Lee Mass, Nick Burke, Shawn Daley and tight end Marc Baumert - has been outsized but has stepped up throughout the postseason, as have defensive tackles Zac Butcher and Steve Nielsen.

"They've been grinding it out against much bigger guys," Duggan said. "They've been playing their tails off."

The linebacking crew of Chad Belt, Jace Cochran, Jeff McGruder and Matt Waters has done its part as well.

The St. Albert defense will have its hands full against the multi-faceted Montezuma rushing attack. The Braves run a double-wing type offense and have three backs with more than 700 yards on the ground.

Cory Ferguson leads the way with 862 yards on 88 carries and nine touchdowns, Kyler Kudart has 726 yards and eight scores and Jake Bru adds 750 and nine. While they don't take to the air much, quarterback Luke Thompson has thrown for 418 yards and eight scores.

"They're very balanced running the football, but their quarterback is a real heady player," Duggan said. "They'll go after you through the air when they think you let your guard down, and that's when they've scored some of their big touchdowns."

The Braves have topped their opponents an average of 27.3-8.3 on the year, while the Falcons outscore their rivals 29.8-10.3, giving Friday's match-up all the makings of a competitive showdown.

"We treat it like it's just another game, and the kids have been to the Dome so much, they know that," Duggan said. "They know how to prepare, they understand the circumstances, and they'll go out there and play their guts out."