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It's go time.

The gravitational pull of the 2008 Class 4A West Region final has been drawing these two teams toward it since … well, since this week a year ago. What better matchup for this year's regional final than a rematch of last year's?

In 2007, Quince Orchard had to get by Sherwood twice — which it did, by a combined 15 points — to complete an undefeated, state-championship season. In 2008, the tables are turned; the blemish-free Warriors won the regular-season meeting and now must do it again.

"Say what you will, but trust me: Everybody connected with our football team knows we were lucky to beat QO last time," Sherwood coach Al Thomas said.

He has a point. A fluke touchdown pass and a fumble returned for a touchdown gave Sherwood an early, two-touchdown advantage in the regular season. The Warriors didn't score again, but held on for the win.

Even flukier, Quince Orchard's top two quarterbacks, Kevin Adams and Travis Hawkins, were both injured during the game. Adams' injury occurred within site of the goal line; Hawkins' happened on the other side of it, on a touchdown sneak wiped out by a penalty.

Then again, nobody makes their own luck like the Warriors. That they're allowing a touchdown per game (less than that defensively) is no fluke. They stopped the Cougars in the red zone three times in that game, and have made a habit of goal line stands.

The offense can play, too. Sherwood has outscored every other county team save Good Counsel this season. The so-so statistics of its individual leaders are largely thanks to all the second halves they spent on the bench during blowouts.

On the opposing sideline, Quince Orchard has been feeling distinctly underappreciated for the past month. The Cougars have flown under the radar since their lone loss, even getting overshadowed by their opponent, passing juggernaut Wootton featuring record-breaking quarterback Mike Mooney, appearing in the playoffs for the first time in a generation.

Yet it was not so long ago that Quince Orchard was ranked nationally by major media outlets. Its 25-point scoring margin isn't chopped liver, nor is the state-record 732 yards it put up just two games ago.

Running back Dawuan Genies (8.0 per-carry average) is the foundation for the offense. Hawkins took the vast majority of the snaps at quarterback last week and provides big-play potential wherever he lines up.

Both teams are coming off overwhelming first-round victories against opponents who had given them trouble in the regular season. Obviously, this matchup was meant to be. With only one other county team in action Friday night, tickets to this one should be even harder to come by than for the October meeting.

So who has the advantage Friday night? The game is again in Sandy Spring; both meetings were in Gaithersburg a year ago. Then again, Hawkins is back and the Cougars are champions until proven otherwise.

It's a pick 'em.

No. 2 Quince Orchard (10-1) at No. 1 Sherwood (11-0)

What: Class 4A West Region final

When: Friday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.

Where: Sherwood High School, Sandy Spring

Last meeting: Sherwood 14, Quince Orchard 6 (Oct. 18, 2008)

Location: Gaithersburg

Nickname: Cougars

Head coach: Dave Mencarini (5th year, 52-8 record)

League affiliation: Montgomery 4A West

Last playoff appearance: 2007 (6th)

Last state title: 2007 (2nd)

Leading rusher: Dawuan Genies (164 carries, 1,305 yards, 15 TD)

Leading passer: Travis Hawkins (9 of 16, 353 yards, 4 TD, 0 int.)

Leading receiver: Kaeron Morgan (14 catches, 192 yards, 3 TD)

Leading defenders: DL Jason Ankrah, DB Travis Hawkins, DL Tyler Magill, DL Terrence Stephens

Points scored: 370 (33.6 per game)

Points allowed: 98 (8.9 per game)

Location: Sandy Spring

Nickname: Warriors

Head coach: Al Thomas (5th year, 51-10 record; 25th overall, 239-47 career)

League affiliation: Montgomery 4A East

Last playoff appearance: 2007 (13th)

Last state title: 1996 (2nd)

Leading rusher: Dominique Davis (150 carries, 975 yards, 9 TD)

Leading passer: Zack Splain (79 of 126, 1,438 yards, 27 TD, 3 int.)

Leading receiver: Ralph George (23 catches, 390 yards, 5 TD)

Leading defenders: LB Philip Durity, DB Chris Everett, LB Steven Gamble, LB Thomas Huff

Points scored: 423 (38.5 per game)

Points allowed: 70 (6.4 per game)