MAN — Even though Weirton Madonna is undefeated, the number one ranked team in the state, last year’s Class A state runner-up and maybe a slight favorite on paper, the Man High School football team is not happy to just be in the championship game.

The Hillbillies think they can win it.

We’ll find out on Saturday night when No. 2-ranked Man (12-1) takes on the Madonna Blue Dons (13-0) in the Class A state championship game at Wheeling Island Stadium.

Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Madonna lost 23-7 to Williamstown in last year’s state championship game and have previously taken the crown one time back in 1987.

It’s been 25 years since Man made it this far when the Billies lost 14-10 in the Class AA title game to Grafton in 1984 at Charleston’s Laidley Field.

Man players know the Blue Dons are good.

Very good.

But that’s not taking away any of Man’s swagger.

The Billies have played one of the toughest schedules in the state among Class A teams with matchups against one Triple-A team (Logan), a horde of Double-A squads like Westside and Chapmanville which made it to the playoffs, and Single-A playoff teams like Gilbert, St. Marys and Fayetteville.

Man then went on to beat Parkersburg Catholic, Fayetteville again and undefeated Richwood in the playoffs to make it to Wheeling.

“It’s been crazy but it’s a good feeling,” senior starter Steven Craddock said of Man’s playoff run. “We’ve been battling in every game. I just can’t wait to play Madonna. You couldn’t ask for anything more being your senior year. It’s a dream come true. Now we just have to finish it. We’re not going to overlook them. We’re taking it serious.”

Man running back Michael Lomax said the Billies are confident going in.

“They’re a solid team,” Lomax said of Madonna. “They’re a lot like we are. It’s going to be a tough game, no matter which way that we approach it. If we can come out and play our game I think that we’ll be OK.”

The game pits two of the state’s top defenses.

“They have the number one defense and we’ve got the number two defense. They run a lot of offensive sets, run the 3-4 defense and they’ve got a lot of seniors like we do,” Man starting senior lineman Tyler Dunigon said. “Last year, they were the state runner-ups, so it’s going to be a tough game.”

Man senior defensive back and wide receiver Jeremy Hatfield said the Billies have a good enough team to win the game.

“To be 13-0, they’ve got to be a pretty good team,” Hatfield said. “They’re a good team and it should be a really good game on Saturday. It’s been a great run in the playoffs and we’ve played some pretty tough teams.

“We’re looking to win this last one and bring the trophy back to Man.”

Man senior Evan Riggins, another wideout for the Billies, said his teammates have a lot of respect for the Blue Dons.

“This is a great way to top off my senior year,” he said. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience and I’d like to thank God for getting us here. I just can’t wait for Saturday. We have all the respect in the world for them. They are 13-0 for a reason.

“They’re a great team. We’re looking for a good game. It’s going to be tough.”

Man quarterback Ryan Crum said Madonna has a solid team.

“Their defense is real good,” Crum said. “I know, too, that they’ve got a good quarterback.”

Senior Cory Kinningham said winning three playoff games and making it to Wheeling has been a great reward for all of the team’s hard work.

“It’s pretty exciting. I’ve never been to the championship game,” Kinningham said. “Last year was the first year that I’ve played in the playoffs and this year was the second time.

“We hope that we can go all the way and win the state championship.”

Man senior lineman Manny Gibson said Weirton Madonna doesn’t appear to have any weaknesses.

“They look like they are good and solid,” Gibson said. “They like to run the ball and they’re a lot like us. They are disciplined and well coached. We’ve had some really good games. Parkersburg Catholic was rated 15th but they were a really good team. We’ve had a tough road to get to Wheeling and I think that it’s going to help us in the end.”

Man kicker, tight end and key defender Derrick Earnest said the Billies have gotten the job done in all areas of the game this season.

“We have team unity and every part of the game we’ve excelled at,” he said. “Our special teams, our offense and our defense have all played well together all season.

“I know as seniors, we’ve stepped up a lot.”