From everything we've seen so far, this matchup could very well be between two teams you will see in the playoffs trying to play spoiler to those who want to see a Shenendehowa-Shaker Super Bowl. Saratoga is currently 4-1, Guilderland is 3-2, and both have played like top-four teams right now.

Oh, wait -- we've said it about a million times, but it's worth a million -- and one because it's new for the AAs; only four teams are making the postseason in Class AA this season.

This is going to be the second time we've seen Saratoga this season on our Friday Night Matchup. They beat CBA in Week One, but have gotten even better since then. Ashton Capone is coming off a monster game last time out, a game in which he scored six touchdowns. He came in to replace Chris Klimek, who was a bit dinged up and stepped up big time.

We saw the emergence of Klimek on TV in Week One. Saratoga was struggling to establish a ground game, but then they gave the ball to Klimek and he changed the game instantly. Klimek tore his ACL and meniscus last season and had to have surgery. He may have lost a little speed, but it doesn't seem to matter.

"He’s a tough, physical kid," said Saratoga coach Terry Jones of Klimek. "Since his surgery, he maybe lost a step, but he's so tough and his vision is so great that it makes the job for our offensive linemen easier that he can read things rather than having to hit a specific hole each time."

Guilderland is one of those teams that is, year-in and year-out, at least average. Even when they are having down years, the Dutchmen always compete. Guilderland usually has an offense that can put points on the board quickly, and while it has a decent offense this year, its defense is the strength.

"I think our defense complements our offense, and we can make plays on defense," said Guilderland coach Dan Penna. "When we need a defensive stop, we can get it, but we need offensive continuity to help us with the flow of the game and to keep guys fresh."

Two of the senior leaders I spoke with, Nick Popolizio and Dillon Olsen, both talked about the defense as well. Popolizio admitted he likes playing defense more, and Olson said, "I think the defense is ahead of the offense, which is different for Guilderland football, but it’s exciting."

This might not be the most talented roster Guilderland has ever had, but according to Penna, this might be the most cohesive group he’s ever had. Penna said these guys want to play for one another, and they go through everything together both on and off the field. Sometimes, that camaraderie is more important than raw talent.

EXTRA POINTS

Guilderland has a leadership committee that handles situations on the team.

There are four sets of brothers on the Saratoga team: the Camaj brothers, the Capone brothers, the Elsawi brothers and Murphy brothers.

Jones and most of his staff have been coaching together since the 1990s. In addition to their work on the football field together, Jones and Coach Rich Lofink are also bowling coaches. Lofink is the head bowling coach, and Jones is the assistant.