NATCHEZ &8212; The Trinity Saints (10-2) have done the work, and now they have the scenario they&8217;ve dreamed of all season.

The Saints will host defending Class A state champion and top-ranked River Oaks (11-1), who are currently riding an eight-game winning streak, in the MPSA Class A South State Championship Game.

The winner will advance to the state championship game at Mississippi College next Thursday.

Head coach David King said he feels his team is excited about the opportunity ahead.

&8220;This is what these kids get out there in that grueling heat in July for, to play for the ultimate prize,&8221; King said. &8220;I think both teams have come a long way since August. What better way to finish out a career than with a chance to go to the state championship on your home field? I&8217;m excited for our seniors.&8221;

To do so, however, the Saints will have to defeat a top-notch opponent.

&8220;These guys are very, very good,&8221; King said. &8220;I&8217;m very impressed with how well they execute and how hard they play. They&8217;ll be real fundamental on both sides of the ball. They only run five or six plays on offense, mostly counters or traps, to make you play fundamental defense. They&8217;ll play a 4-3 defense and do everything right with it.&8221;

During the first two games of the playoffs, the Saint first teamers have spent much of the second half on the sidelines, as Trinity outscored North Delta and Glenbrook 83-0 during the first half of their games. King said he didn&8217;t expect that to be a factor &8212; or at least not a hindrance.

&8220;I think, at this stage, everybody&8217;s in good shape. I think our kids are smart enough to realize that this is the best team we&8217;ve played this year. (River Oaks is) expecting to win, and they should be. They&8217;re No. 1 for a reason. It&8217;s probably an advantage to us because our kids are well-rested.&8221;

One key to the game, in King&8217;s mind, will be the Saints&8217; speed going up against River Oaks&8217; power.

&8220;Nobody has run the football against them. We&8217;re going to need to spread it out a little bit. They&8217;re so good up front, you just don&8217;t line up and run the football at them. We&8217;re going to have to use our athleticism and our skill people. Their offensive line&8217;s the best we&8217;ve seen. The kids are going to have to know their assignments. We&8217;ve gone two-a-days the last two days of practice to make sure they know their assignments.&8221;

Wide receiver Clint Easom is questionable with a shoulder injury, but the Saints are otherwise healthy.

King said the game would ultimately come down to heart.

&8220;It&8217;s just going to be a matter of who wants it the worst. It&8217;s an old clich/ but it&8217;s true. We have to play mistake-free football if we&8217;re going to beat this bunch.&8221;

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Trinity.