The Peoria-Richwoods Knights head south to take on the Marion Wildcats in the Class 5A playoffs at 4 p.m. today.

Peoria-Richwoods (9-1) beat Springfield High School, 35-18, last week. The Knights have dominated opponents this year by scoring an average of 36.9 points per game while allowing just 13.7 points per game.

"We're an off-tackle, belly-option team that's very similar to Marion," Peoria-Richwoods coach Roland Brown said. "We put a lot on our quarterback (Mike Davis) and fullback (Tevin Hicks) to carry the ball."

"They have some really good running backs, but I think the key to their team is their offensive line does a great job," Marion coach Kerry Martin said. "Their quarterback is a weapon as well that can run the option as well as throw the ball."

Richwoods' only loss this season was a 7-6 heartbreaker to a 10-0 Quincy-Notre Dame team that has outscored the opposition 375-32 this season. Both Richwoods and Marion sport potent offenses, and Brown liked what he saw from Marion on film.

"Marion is very athletic with a stable of running backs," Brown said. "They just keep coming at you. They block very well and are just a very solid football team."

Marion (9-1) is riding a six-game winning streak after they defeated Decatur MacArthur 24-7 last week. Marion has averaged 31.9 points of offense per game while allowing 15.2 points per game on defense.

"You go into any ballgame, and you feel like you have to do three things: stop the run, run the ball effectively and have a high turnover ratio," Martin said. "This game may come down to who plays the best on special teams."

Martin is glad to be playing this game at home and feels Marion's home crowd could factor into the game.

"I ultimately think football games come down to execution, and the better team will usually win the game, regardless," Martin said. "I do think there's an advantage for us in front of our home crowd, though. In a close ballgame, it may be the one advantage you need to get a victory."