The setting was picturesque at this time of year, a place that began to define South Western as the night air breathed its chilling reminder around them and York Street lit up behind their postseason territory: the band field.

The Mustangs only practice here on special occasions, specifically when they reach the District 3 playoffs. The last time it happened for an extended period was in 2006, when the Mustangs reached the Class AAA final. This time, the stakes are higher in quad-A -- if not the same.

South Western (10-1) worked through its practice on Wednesday with purpose as a Class AAAA quarterfinal with No. 5 Penn Manor (9-2) looms Friday at The Mustang Corral.

"Two things: confident and physical," Mustang head coach Don Seidenstricker said of his two key points for Friday's matchup. "If I had two wishes, it'd be that we come out Friday confident to win the game and really, really physical because (Penn Manor) will be."

South Western has proven through the season, even through periods of adversity, that its defense is the backbone of what it does on the field. That should receive a big test when the Comets -- who beat Chambersburg, 35-14, to get here -- arrive with a slew of playmakers on their roster.

Laronn Lee, who averages 7.45 yards per carry on 88 rushes, is the mainstay big-play threat for the Comets. But he's just as dynamic on the flanks (25 catches, 478 yards) as he is on the ground (656 yards).

He's

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only one variable to worry about. Another is Penn Manor's offense, which is multi-faceted.

Much like New Oxford, the Comets rely heavily on a veer and midline option attack. But they hoist other options in that they offer a Wildcat package, shotgun looks and a pro-I set.

"This is New Oxford's offense with probably a little more polish because they've done it longer," Seidenstricker said. "It's a tough call. You can't compare them to Cedar Cliff because they were a precise passing game and a power running game. This is more of a wide open run game than pass game."

That means the uncertainly of what Penn Manor will throw at South Western is something to consider. Quarterback P.J. Rehm (56-for-116, 1,218 yards, 16 touchdowns, three interceptions) has the ability to sling the ball in the air or produce on the ground (team-leading 658 rushing yards).

Still, there's a reason why South Western keeps winning. The Mustangs rush the ball for 223 yards per game while limiting opponents to 129. They've outscored opponents 122-20 in the first and 75-20 in the fourth quarters. And they force nearly three fumbles a game on defense.

"On defense, we want to go out there and set the tempo," South Western linebacker Jake Myers said. "If we can set our tempo, we can help our offense. That's where we want it."

Applying pressure to the Comets' offensive flow might be the biggest key to the game because Seidenstricker warned, "You can't sit back on these guys."

"We want to control the clock and keep their offense off the field if we can," South Western running back Levi Sager said. "They have big-play guys. That's very important. If we come out and set the tone for the first quarter, that'll send a message."
cmull@eveningsun.com