Harding County and Colome face dual tests today when the Ranchers and Cowboys take to the road for semifinal games in the Class 9B playoffs.

A berth in the State 9B title game awaits the winners of today's semifinals, but both Zone schools face the prospect of a long road trip before hitting the field with teams that have been ranked high in the state's sports writers' 9B poll all season.

Harding County's semifinal opponent, Grant-Deuel, has been atop the 9B ranking much of the season. The Wildcats are 10-0 after being tested by Campbell County before prevailing 28-14 in their quarterfinal game Monday at Revillo.

Harding County is no stranger to playoff pressure, having been a mainstay in the state's 9-man playoffs through the years. Last year the Ranchers were unbeaten until Colome derailed their run to the DakotaDome and the State 9B finals with a semifinal win at Buffalo.

This time it's Harding County that comes into the semifinals as an underdog, though the Ranchers have reeled off seven straight wins after opening the season with three straight losses.

Grant-Deuel is adept at both running and passing the football.

The Wildcats got a 106-yard, one TD rushing effort from Clint Homan against Campbell County, though 70 of his yards came on his touchdown run.

Quarterback Dustin Johnson hooked up with wide receiver Andrew Magedanz twice for TDs against the Express.

Running back Jordan Berg had the other Grant-Deuel score.

Colome's foe, Dell Rapids St. Mary, is also unbeaten in 2007, having won 10 straight games this season. The Cardinals have been making inroads on Grant-Deuel's No. 1 ranking, pulling three first-place votes away from the Wildcats in the final sports writers' poll.

The Cowboys are no stranger to tough opponents, having faced Avon, Scotland and Hanson during the 2007 campaign. Plus head coach Kevin Graesser's team is a hard-hitting bunch that is used to travel.

In recent weeks Graesser has been particularly pleased with the play of his defense. On offense, running back Derek Beck can carry the pigskin for both the big gain and the tough yards inside.

Quarterback Josh Sherman is dangerous both passing and running the football.

Fast and deep may best describe Dell Rapids St. Mary.

The Cardinals have three backs - Joe Erickson, Austin Schnieders and Eric Brown - with seven or more rushing touchdowns this season. Quarterback Tony Siemonsma has rushed for five TDs and thrown for six more.