Northwood-Kensett will make its third trip to the state semifinal game Saturday against North Tama and this time they want a better result.

The Vikings (11-1) have lost in each of their previous trips to the state semifinal but feel this time around will be different against No. 2-ranked North Tama (12-0).

“Some people have said we haven’t been good since the days of Jack Johnson and that we’ll fold under pressure,” Northwood-Kensett linebacker Tyson Warner said. “We just want to go out there and win and prove them wrong.”

The Vikings were not ranked entering the season and some didn’t expect them to have such a successful season after last year where injuries plagued them and kept them from the playoffs. Being overlooked has kept Northwood-Kensett relaxed going into one of the biggest games in school history.

“I think these kids have approached it pretty loose,” Vikings head coach Dave Capitani said. “All of those teams were kind of expected to be in there (the state semifinals). I think that’s a good position for us.”

Northwood-Kensett will have to contain the Red Hawks spread offense. The Vikings have seen the spread throughout the season, the last time coming against NU High in the regular season. Northwood-Kensett gave up 176 yards through the air, but intercepted two passes and won 42-0.

“Obviously, we’ve been real pleased with the defense the past couple of weeks,” Capitani said. “They know that if they don’t give up points they’ll be in the game.”

The defense has been especially strong in the second half. In the past two games the Vikings have only give up 6 points in the second half and a total of 23.

The key for the defense this week will be limiting the effectiveness of senior quarterback Wyatt Hanus. Hanus has thrown for 16 touchdowns and rushed for 11. He has 1,853 yards passing and 566 rushing.

“We can’t give up big plays,” Capitani said. “We’re going to have to defend the pass and the run at the same time and keep things in front of us.”

On offense the game plan won’t change, but Northwood-Kensett will face a North Tama defense has seven shutouts on the season and are a bigger defense than the Vikings faced against East Buchanan last week.

“They’re pretty big, maybe not as quick up front,” Capitani said. “Trying to get them moved off the line might be a problem.”

The biggest thing for Capitani and Northwood-Kensett will be time possession. The longer the Vikings can keep the Red Hawk offense off the field, the better.

“We’ve got to move the ball and keep the ball out of their hands,” Capitani said.

Northwood-Kensett will play its third game at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls and it will be the first game for North Tama at the dome. The UNI-Dome has become a home-away-from-home for the Vikings recently and the team feels comfortable there. Despite the undefeated record and No. 2 rating Northwood-Kensett is confident it can advance to the state championship this time around.

“We’re just keeping cool, knowing that we have to play relaxed and play our game,” quarterback Jordan Reindl said. “We know what the dome brings.”