They are connected by LeRoy-Lexington Road. Yet, the high school football regular season came and went without the Heart of Illinois Conference rivals hooking up.

"With 13 schools (in the conference), you don't get everybody every year," Lexington coach Mike Castleman said. "It just so happens we both have had good years in the same year, and we don't play."

Until now, that is.

Top-seeded Lexington (10-0) and No. 4 seed LeRoy (8-2) meet Saturday in the second round of the Class 1A playoffs at Lexington.

The teams have not played since 2007. Lexington's T.J. Stinde was a sophomore that season. Now, he is a senior tailback with 2,433 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns.

That in mind, LeRoy coach B.J. Zeleznik hopes to play keep away in the 1 p.m. game, which will be broadcast on WTRX-FM (93.7).

"It's going to be all about ball control," Zeleznik said. "We have to focus on making them play defense. Even if we don't score on a possession, we have to get first downs and chew clock and flip the field in terms of field position."

The Panthers hope to do so behind the running of Kyle Eastham (1,040 yards, eight touchdowns), Zach Morrison (562, eight TDs) and Eric Steffen (510, 13 TDs).

Steffen is at quarterback most of the time, though Eastham moves there when LeRoy goes to a spread formation.

Lexington counters with a defense that has allowed 48 points all season.

"They do a great job of sharing the ball amongst all of their backs," Castleman said. "Our defensive coordinator, Mark Frederick, has had our defense ready to play every week.

"We feel like we have a good game plan. We've been practicing that and we'll go to battle. People like to talk about our offense, but defense is what has got us here."

The Minutemen, who are ranked third in the Associated Press 1A state poll, average 41.9 points on offense.

Stinde has gained 9.7 yards per carry behind a talented line and the lead blocking of fullback Jesse Kemp, including 338 yards and two TDs in last week's 23-14 win over Fisher.

"He has the ultimate combination of speed and power. He also has extraordinary balance," Zeleznik said. "He presents some serious challenges, especially if our kids are caught in a one-on-one situation with him."

The Panthers will try to gang tackle Stinde, but Lexington also has a viable threat at quarterback in Chris Beard (661 yards passing, eight TDs) and a dangerous receiver in Mike Emberton (18 catches, 409 yards, five TDs).

"We're excited and I'm sure Lexington is too," Zeleznik said. "We'll actually have a dry field. It's been since week four. Both teams can show what they can do and not have to worry about the conditions."

Castleman agreed, saying, "Our maintenance people have done a great job with our field. It will feel like a normal game."