RAPID CITY - The St. Thomas More Cavaliers are taking on a new roll in Class 11A football, that of the underdog.

For four years the Cavaliers enjoyed dominating west river football, never losing to a West River team in that time, and winning four straight Black Hills Conference championships.

However, that all changed this season when Belle Fourche rolled St. Thomas More, 37-3, in the final game of the regular season, and in the process took the conference championship from the Cavaliers. In that game, the Broncs pounded out over 300 yards rushing while the Cavaliers managed just 26 total yards.

Now, they meet again. However this time, one team's season will be over and the other will advance to the Class 11A semifinals.

"We're the underdog and that's OK," said St. Thomas More head coach Wayne Sullivan. "I think that actually is something that will help us. We haven't been in this role in the last six or seven years. So it is something new for us, and we're going to have to come out hungry."

St. Thomas More (6-3 overall) will battle a Belle Fourche team enjoying a perfect 9-0 season on Monday in Belle Fourche at Lou Graslie Field at 6:30 p.m.

"The level of competition is going to go up just because of what is at stake," said Belle Fourche head coach Adam Nowowiejski. "I think St. Thomas More will do some things a little differently this game. I definitely expect them to step up their game."

If the Cavaliers have a shot at upsetting the Broncs on their home turf they will have to move the ball against a defense that has given up only five points per game this season, and contain an offense that averaged 36 points per game.

"They're a very good football team and they're well coached," said Sullivan, "We have to execute on offense. That means controlling the ball and keeping them off the field. Defensively, we have to stay fundamentally sound and tackle better than we did last game."

The Broncs are led by their quarterback Alex Kling on offense. Kling has thrown for 14 touchdowns and has rushed for seven this season. Belle Fourche also runs the ball by committee behind Alex Kling, Cade Kling and Francios Barnaud. They have rushed for over 1,500 yards as a team this season.

"We are definitely a two-dimensional team," said Nowowiejski. "The passing and running game work off each other, and in this game we're going to have to do both well. We can't be one-dimensional."

St. Thomas More's offense averaged 34 points per game, while giving up 17.5. Jared Jacobson has thrown for 1,306 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

Running back Zach Cimburek missed several games due to injury, but is back and will spearhead the running game. He rushed for 10 touchdowns this season.

"I think it is going to come down to whoever makes the least amount of mistakes. The team that commits the fewest turnovers, penalties and mental errors is probably going to win." said Nowowiejski.