RAPID CITY - Whoever put the 2007 Black Hills Conference football schedule together couldn't have picked a better game to end the regular season.

Belle Fourche and St. Thomas More, both 4-0 in the conference and unblemished overall, will duke it out tonight at More's Dutton Field at 6 p.m.

On the line is not just the league crown, but also home-field advantage in the upcoming Class 11A playoffs.

"This is a playoff game a week early," said More coach Wayne Sullivan.

Belle Fourche was one of the three teams to finish at 3-2 behind three-time champion More last season, but the Broncs have been retooled into a contender under new head coach Adam Nowowiejski.

"The kids have worked extremely hard this year to be where they're at," Nowowiejski said. "They are focused on the goals that we established at the beginning of the year and I look forward to this match up."

Junior quarterback Alex Kling leads a well-balanced attack for Belle Fourche.

Kling has completed 56 of 117 attempts for 1,067 yards and nine touchdowns. Receivers Kyle Webb and Kyle Grubb have combined for seven touchdowns.

Tailback Jess Cooper is also into four-figure yardage, tallying 1,138 yards and 15 touchdowns on 139 carries. Fullback Colen Kling has added 46 carries for 273 yards and eight touchdowns.

Cooper was a handful in last week's 34-0 win over Custer, racking up 210 yards on 25 trips and scoring three touchdowns.

"Alex Kling is a strong runner with a very good arm. Jess Cooper is a talented running back with a good fullback in Colin Kling in front of him. Their front line is strong and they open holes for the running backs," Sullivan said.

The Cavaliers, coming off of a bye week in the schedule, are multi-dimensional.

Senior running back Alex Hollibaugh averages 10 yards a carry for More, tallying 801 yards and 17 touchdowns. Back Landon White and quarterback Nathan Jacobson have combined for seven touchdowns.

Jacobson has also thrown for 16 touchdowns, completing 48 of 83 passes for 951 yards.

The two teams have tallied similar scores against common opponents this year, suggesting today's clash will be won and lost on the little things.

Weather could be also be a factor. Today's forecast calls for rain early, then windy with temperatures struggling to climb out of the 40s.

"This game will come down to who makes the least amount of mistakes, turnovers, and keeping drives alive," Sullivan said. "We will have to convert third downs and keep the ball out of Belle's hands and be fundamentally strong with blocking and tackling."

Nowowiejski agreed.

"The important keys to this game are to create turnovers, but not have any turnovers," he said. "We have to tackle well and not get caught up watching the play. If we can do those things we will put ourselves in a very good position."

"These are the type of games that make this fun," Sullivan said. "It will be an awesome atmosphere for high school football."