Date and time: Friday, 3 p.m., at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse.

   Teams: Harrison Huskies (Sec. 1) vs. Aquinas Little Irish (Sec. 5).

   Records: Harrison is 10-1, Aquinas is 12-0.

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   Rankings: Aquinas is ranked No. 1 and Harrison No. 3 by the New York State Sportswriters Association. Archbishop Stepinac of the CHSFL is ranked No. 2.

   Coaches: Art Troilo Jr. (Harrison) and Chris Battaglia (Aquinas).

   Digging inside the schedules: The way Section I Class A schools beat on each other is hilarious -- unless you happen to be a coach going though that meat grinder -- so Section 5 fans would do well to not downplay the significance of the Huskies' 10-win season. Harrison's loss was the 21-20 heartbreaker to Rye in Week 6 and there were multiple close calls en route to a modest 269-137 scoring advantage this fall. With five victories by 12 points or less, Harrison knows how to handle close games.

   With a schedule that typically includes only one local school (McQuaid), it's never easy getting a reading on Aquinas until the sectional semifinals. Two wins over Massachusetts schools and a 39-14 rout of Erie, Pa., Cathedral Prep (experiencing a rare down year) were promising signs, and whatever lingering doubts remained vanished with a 36-6 victory in the state quarterfinals over two-time defending state champ Sweet Home, which was very dangerous again.

   Aquinas outscored its opposition 432-151. It could have been much more lopsided had the Little Irish not played ultra-conservative second halves during a stretch of four straight late-season games.

   About Harrison: The Huskies owe much of their success to a sound running game featuring hard-nosed Tanner Knox and speedy halfbacks Steve Ricciardi and Alex Acompora as well as versatility. Coming at Aquinas with the triple option isn't the worst idea in the world because (a) the Little Irish get a bit antsy up front and run hard to the ball (b) passing against their skilled and speedy secondary is an awful idea. Precision and execution will be crucial for Harrison.

   It's worth noting that the first-string defense has surrendered just one TD over the last three weeks, indicative of how well they've overcome the midseason loss of two-way sophomore lineman Charlie Credendino (6-4, 290 pounds) to a torn ACL and meniscus and a fracture in his left knee. Senior Mike Oliva and junior Alex Beckett have stepped up in his place.

   Harrison would be riding into town with a perfect record if not for the 21-20 loss to Rye in the final 15 seconds of their huge rivalry game.

   About Aquinas: The Aquinas offense starts with above-average size on the line and enviable depth at running back. Starting fullback Tim Young would be getting halfback carries at many Rochester-area large schools, but his role here is short-yardage running and clearing a path for Mike Messina, who's heading to Syracuse University to play lacrosse.

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   Junior QB Cory Benedetto can make the necessary throws and is blessed with the best WR duo in Section 5 in all-stater Chris Bostick (a St. John's baseball recruit) and Jahmahl Pardner. Junior Taylor Byrne was impressive in two games before Bostick's return from a leg injury last week.

   Credit offensive coordinator Rich Parrinello for the way he has spread the ball around.

   The defense really began to click once soph Billy Lombardi (5-7, 192 pounds) was inserted on the line in mid-season in addition to his role at the No. 2 tailback. Offenses have to contain him and junior Jarron Jones (6-7, 305) on the line and account for linebacker Marc Pettrone, another junior. Pettrone sometimes took high-risk gambles a year ago but has carried out assignments nearly flawlessly this fall.

   Aquinas uses Pardner, Messina and Bostick for special-teams returns. Personally, I'd just kick the ball out of bounds. The thought of any of them running on a dry, fast track with a full head of steam should make Harrison nervous.

   Past championships: Harrison owns NYSPHSAA crowns in 1999 and 2002 in three trips to the Carrier Dome. Aquinas won it all in 1998, 2001, 2002 and 2007.

   Making a pick: It's nice to have a state tournament that's now old enough for rich football traditions to show through, and this is a prime example. Kids on both sidelines know what's at stake and know the stories of heroes from past generations.

   That being said, it's the here and now rather than ghosts of the past that matters most. Aquinas is a little better across the board and is also setting up nicely for a long postseason run in 2011 with its wealth of young talent.

   The pick is Aquinas 41, Harrison 14.