A lot of folks wanted to see what Mountain Pointe and a pair of 1,000-yard rushers could do against Hamilton last season. That matchup never materialized as the Pride fell to Mesa High in the semifinals.

The teams are on the same side of the bracket this year and have won two games so far in very different ways as they meet in the 5A-I semifinals Friday at 7 p.m. at Chandler High.

Hamilton (13-0) has blasted Westwood and Mesquite in its first two playoffs games by an aggregate score of 110-13. Those victories have extended the Huskies' winning streak over the last two-plus seasons to 38 in a row. The Huskies got good news with the return to action of  standout offensive lineman Christian Westerman, who has committed to Texas, after sitting out the first two playoff games with a leg injury.

Mountain Pointe (10-2) will be playing its third successive Fiesta Region opponent in its 2010 playoff run and played a fourth -- Desert Vista - earlier in the season. The Pride beat Red Mountain, 21-17, in the first round and edged Brophy, 13-12, two weeks ago in the quarterfinals. They are 3-0 vs. Fiesta teams this season. Mountain Pointe has won or shared the East Valley Region title the last two years and is in the semis for the second year in a row under coach Norris Vaughan.

Not the rushing juggernaut it was a year ago, Mountain Pointe relies even more this season on its defense, which will be tested to the hilt by the methodical, balanced ways of Hamilton.

"Mountain Pointe's a good team," Hamilton coach Steve Belles said. "Particularly on the defensive side. They have good athletes that fly to the ball. They're relentless."

Belles is aware the Pride has done just enough to win recently, but also noted their season finale with Marcos de Niza.

"in that game they got out 28-0 (27-0) and had an easy time of it," Belles said. "They are capable of putting it on you."

Mountain Pointe had two backs rush for more than 1,000 yards last season. This year the team has rushed for much less, but  can throw the ball. The Pride must be able to do both to have a shot.

Hamilton, as most foes lament, have no weakness. It comes down to trying to out-execute the Huskies.

Leading the way for Hamilton is quarterback Kyren Poe, who has rushed and passed for more than 2,500 yards.. Jai Johnson leads a backfield by committee. Tanner Clay, with a 1,000-yard plus receiving season, is the Huskies leading receiver.