Championship preview - clash of state titans

Saturday's state championship soccer game between Whitefish and the Billings Central Rams will be a clash of the Class A titans.

Both teams will bring an offensive-minded game plan and fierce defensive units — as well as a tradition for winning.

Billings Central (11-1-1) made the finals after topping Libby 2-1 Oct. 24 in Billings.

It will be the Rams' third trip to the finals in the last five years — but they've never won the title. Libby beat Central in a shootout in last year's championship match.

Whitefish won the state title in 2006 and 2007. The Bulldogs were eliminated by Central from the playoffs last season.

Byrd says his players will be playing not just for a championship but respect, too, after losing to the Rams in last year's semi-final game and again at the start of this season.

"Is there an element of revenge?" he said. "As a coach, of course there isn't, you don't worry about the past. But for the players, revenge isn't the word. It's about redemption.

"They've got a lot to prove to themselves."

Look for the Rams to aggressively push the ball up the field seeking scoring chances.

"They have a lot of seniors," Bulldog coach O'Brien Byrd said. "They are well-rounded and have a great goalie and good back line.

"They have two or three forwards that are big, fast and strong. They play a very similar style to us."

Senior forward Anto Daoud says the team is ready for the challenge.

"We are going to play hard and hopefully we come out with the win," Daoud said.

Byrd said the team will stick to its typical routine leading up to Saturday's game and that they will have a team dinner on Friday.

"We are a different team form the one that lost 4-1 in Billings earlier this year," he said. "It's a real family feel to the team right now. It's a very unique chemistry. They've built up a trust for their teammates."

The match is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Smith Fields in Whitefish.

Cost of admittance is $7 for adults and $6 for students.