The Riverside Pirates have continued to prove that they belong among the best teams in Division VII, and now they find themselves just one win away from a trip to the regional finals.

Riverside (9-2) delivered another statement performance in Week 12, dismantling Cincinnati Country Day 49-13 to punch its ticket to the regional semifinals. The Pirates now return home to DeGraff, where they will welcome the New Bremen Cardinals (7-5) with a historic opportunity on the line: the chance to reach the regional final for the first time in program history.

However, the Cardinals are not simply making the trip to DeGraff to play spoiler. New Bremen is coming off one of its biggest wins of the season, knocking off second-seeded Ansonia 27-12 to earn its place in the final four. With four consecutive victories and plenty of confidence behind them, the Cardinals have established themselves as a team Riverside cannot afford to overlook.

Don't overlook the Cardinals

New Bremen's 7-5 record might not jump off the page, but its recent play tells a much different story.

After opening the season 3-5, the Cardinals have completely turned things around, winning four straight games and putting together their strongest stretch of football at the most important time of the year. Their latest victory over Ansonia demonstrated that this is a team capable of competing with anyone left in the postseason.

Offensively, New Bremen shares plenty of similarities with Riverside. The Cardinals are not interested in making their living through the air. Instead, they want to establish the run, control the clock and make opposing defenses earn every yard.

Competing in the highly regarded Midwest Athletic Conference, New Bremen finished third in the league in rushing, averaging more than five yards per carry as a team. The Cardinals have made their living on the ground, finding the end zone 31 times through their rushing attack.

Jacob Kelly and Gavin Dicke headline that offensive production. The two backs have combined for more than 1,500 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, giving New Bremen a formidable one-two punch that can put pressure on a defense throughout four quarters.

Defensively, the Cardinals bring an equally physical identity. Their strength starts with their ability to stop the run and control the line of scrimmage. New Bremen has surrendered fewer than 1,200 rushing yards on the season while allowing just 3.94 yards per carry. The Cardinals also rank second in the MAC in total defense, making it clear that their success is built around winning the physical battles on both sides of the football.

For Riverside, this will be a challenge against a team that wants to play the same brand of football. The Cardinals are comfortable grinding out possessions, limiting opportunities and forcing opponents to work for every point.

Pirates must do what they have done all year

If there is one thing that will determine the outcome of Friday night's matchup, it is the battle in the trenches.

Winning the line of scrimmage is not simply an advantage in a game like this. It is a necessity.

Both teams want to establish the run, control the clock and dictate the pace of play. Whichever defense can consistently get stops and whichever offensive line can create running lanes will have a significant advantage as the game progresses.

For Riverside, that starts with slowing down Kelly and Dicke before they can get comfortable. The Pirates must tighten their chinstraps, fill running lanes quickly and make the Cardinals work for every yard.

That responsibility falls on the entire defensive unit, but Liam Shoe will be a particularly important piece of the equation. The first-team All-TRC linebacker has been a consistent presence for the Pirates, and this is the type of matchup where his ability to diagnose plays, fill gaps and make tackles downhill will be critical.

Riverside cannot afford to rely on one or two players to make every stop. Against Cincinnati Country Day, the Pirates showcased the type of defensive effort that will be required again, with 15 different players flying to the football.

That collective mentality must carry over against New Bremen. Gang tackling, disciplined assignments and limiting yards after contact will be essential against a Cardinals offense that wants to wear down opposing defenses.

On the offensive side, Gunner Carpenter and Dylan Trimble will once again be at the center of the Pirates' attack. The two have been instrumental in Riverside's success throughout the season, combining physical running, big-play ability and consistency to keep opposing defenses on their heels.

However, Riverside's offensive production extends beyond its two leading backs. Justin Mazariegos, Gabe Steineman and Brody Orsborne have all demonstrated their ability to contribute when their numbers have been called. Their involvement could become increasingly important against a New Bremen defense that will undoubtedly focus its attention on containing Carpenter and Trimble.

The Pirates have built their identity around physical football, and there is no reason to stray from that approach now. Establishing the run early, controlling the line of scrimmage and allowing multiple playmakers to contribute will be essential to keeping the Cardinals' defense from settling into a rhythm.

What to expect

As has been the case for much of the season, expect the ground game to be at the forefront of Friday night's matchup.

Neither team is particularly interested in turning the game into an aerial shootout. Both have found success by leaning on their running backs, trusting their offensive lines and making opposing defenses defend the entire field.

That makes one particular factor worth watching: which team can stay ahead of the chains?

Early-down success will be enormous. Consistently picking up four or five yards on first down allows an offense to keep its playbook open, control the tempo and avoid putting itself in difficult third-down situations. On the other hand, negative plays and stalled drives could quickly shift momentum in a game where possessions may be limited.

While the running game will likely dictate the pace, the ability to make plays through the air when opportunities present themselves could ultimately separate these two teams.

Riverside's offensive line has been stout throughout the season, paving the way for its talented backfield to become the centerpiece of the offense. Getting Carpenter, Trimble and Mazariegos involved early will be important, particularly if the Pirates can force New Bremen to account for multiple threats.

The Pirates also need to remain patient. Against a defense that has been so effective against the run, there will likely be stretches where yards are difficult to come by. Avoiding costly mistakes, maintaining possession, and capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be just as important as breaking off the occasional big play.

Defensively, Riverside must bring the same level of intensity it displayed against Cincinnati Country Day. New Bremen has found its stride offensively, and allowing the Cardinals to establish their ground game could make for a long night.

Ultimately, this matchup has all the makings of a physical postseason battle. Two teams with similar identities, two productive backfields and two defenses that take pride in stopping the run will meet with a trip to the regional championship game hanging in the balance.

For Riverside, the opportunity is about more than simply advancing another week. The Pirates have put together a remarkable season, overcome challenges and established themselves as one of the premier programs in the region.

Now, they have an opportunity to take another step forward.

A win Friday night would send Riverside to the regional final for the first time in school history, putting the Pirates one victory away from an opportunity to compete for a state championship.

The Cardinals will arrive in DeGraff with plenty of momentum and no intention of making the trip an easy one. But for a Riverside team that has spent the season proving itself against every challenge, the opportunity is right in front of it.

One game. One opportunity. A chance to make history.