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Shortly after his team's 45-6, first-round playoff win against McNamara Friday night, Good Counsel football coach Bob Milloy was asked if this was the year for his squad to capture the school's first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference football championship.

Milloy, obviously upset by his squad's various struggles, had this to say: "The way we played tonight, I wouldn't put money on my team. I can tell you that right now."

Milloy, in fact, believes the No. 2 Stags (9-2) will hold all the intangibles on their side when the two squads meet Saturday night at the United States Naval Academy with the WCAC title on the line.

"I would say I would bet on DeMatha," Milloy said. "You know how hard it is to beat somebody two times in a row and DeMatha is very, very good. They had guys injured [in the first meeting, which the Falcons won, 42-21]. Everything is in their favor. They have the revenge factor and they're the defending champions. I think all that stuff definitely becomes important."

Granted, DeMatha is the four-time defending WCAC champion, having beaten the Falcons (11-0) in the title game all four of those years. The Stags are also playing their best football of the season, including a 20-0 semifinal win against third-seeded St. John's Friday.

They are led by explosive offensive performers in quarterback Tom Chroniger, running back Marcus Coker and wideout Emmanuel McPherson. Their strong suit is the offensive side of the ball, where they score an average of 30 points per game.

"We've gotten better the last six games," said DeMatha coach Bill McGregor. "I think we've played very well. Our whole goal was to get back to the championship game. You always want to defend your championship. … We're going to be healthy again. The first time, we didn't have everyone healthy. I think that will make a difference."

Okay, sure, DeMatha has a world of playoff history behind it and found a way to defeat Good Counsel in the past four league championship games. But if there was ever a Falcons team that can reverse recent history, it would be this year's edition.

The Falcons have simply been the league's, if not the area's, most dominant team this fall, outscoring their 11 opponents by a combined score of 454-76. They're averaging a ludicrous 41.2 points per game; in fact, they scored 41 or more in all but one game, a 27-14 victory against St. Peter's (N.J.) Sept. 20. They also exploded for 28 points in the first quarter in their first meeting with DeMatha.

Leading that frenzied offensive attack are seniors Tyler Campbell, Caleb Porzel and Jelani Jenkins.

"Number one, you've got to play mistake-free football," said McGregor. "Good Counsel does a great job of making the most of its opportunities. You can't the turn the ball over. No. 2, you really have to come to play. Porzel can hurt you. Jenkins can hurt you and Tyler can hurt you throwing the football. ... No. 3, you have to keep the ball out of their hands."

Good Counsel's defense has also been equal to the task, allowing just 6.9 points per game while returning four interceptions for touchdowns, including two against McNamara (5-6). Linebackers Chris Pitsenberger (59 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss), Jenkins (57 tackles) and Troy Gloster (36 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and defensive backs Mike Wallace, Louis Young and Al Thompson, who have combined for 12 interceptions, spark that stingy defense.

"I just hope for a different outcome this year," Wallace said. "I'm excited. If it was anyone but DeMatha, I would have been disappointed. I'm glad that they got the win and I'm glad we got the victory. I'm real excited for Saturday."

DeMatha (9-2) vs. Good Counsel (11-0)

What: Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship

When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.

Where: United States Naval Academy, Annapolis

Last meeting: Good Counsel 42, DeMatha 21 (Oct. 2, 2008)

Location: Olney

Nickname: Falcons

Head coach: Bob Milloy, 8th year (69-19 record; 37th overall, 334-101-1)

Last league title: 1996

Leading rusher: Caleb Porzel (123 carries, 1,091 yards, 15 TD)

Leading passer: Tyler Campbell (74 for 105, 1,294 yards, 14 TD)

Leading receiver: E.J. Scott (15 catches, 405 yards, 6 TD)

Leading defenders: LB Chris Pitsenberger, LB Jelani Jenkins, DB Louis Young

Points scored: 454 (41.2 per game)

Points allowed: 76 (6.9 per game)

Location: Hyattsville

Nickname: Stags

Head coach: Bill McGregor, 27th year (258-36-3)

Last league title: 2007

Leading rusher: Marcus Coker (90 carries, 1,109 yards, 15 TD)

Leading passer: Tom Chroniger (83 of 140, 1,259 yards, 8 TD)

Leading receiver: Emmanual McPhearson (22 catches, 404 yards, 8 TD)

Leading defenders: LB Sean Hurtt, DE Jeremiah Mathis

Points scored: 331 (30.0 per game)

Points allowed: 110 (10.0 per game)