Del Newell | Special to the Gazette, November 24, 2011 1 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Detroit Plus.

At stake: Constantine's second state title in school history (2004 was the other). Ithaca's second state title in a row.

Playoff road: Constantine beat visiting Hartford (28-21) in pre-district, visiting Schoolcraft (37-30 in two OTs) in district final, host Grass Lake (42-25) in regional final and Ecorse (45-44) in semifinal. Ithaca beat visiting Byron (56-6) in pre-district, visiting Montrose (28-13) in district final, visiting Montague (22-19 in OT) in regional final and Iron Mountain (28-0) in semifinal.

Final AP ranking: Constantine received one vote and was honorable mention. Ithaca was No. 1-ranked all season.

Series: First meeting.

History: Constantine has qualified for the playoffs 16 times, including the last 13 years. The last two years Constantine has lost to Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in the semifinals (22-14 in 2010; 23-14 in 2009). This is Constantine's fourth trip to the finals, with the Falcons, then coached by Tim Baker, winning a state title in 2004 against Suttons Bay (34-13). Constantine lost in the final in 2002 (Montrose, 14-0) and 1994 (Orchard Lake St. Mary, 35-7). Ithaca has also qualified for the playoffs 16 times and is the final for the second straight year. The Yellowjackets defeated Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central is last year's championship game, 45-35, and now have won 27 consecutive games.

Coaches: Shawn Griffith is in his seventh year as head coach (71-14) and 19th year coaching at Constantine. Ithaca head coach Terry Hessbrook is in his eighth year and has a 72-17 record.

Conference standings: Constantine tied for second with Olivet in the Kalamazoo Valley Association. Ithaca again won the Tri-Valley West Conference.

Scouting Ithaca: Ithaca currently has the state's longest winning streak —27 games. Six starters are back on defense, five on offense from last year's state championship team. The Yellowjackets have a two-dimensional attack, averaging 255.6 yards rushing, 158.8 passing and 414.4 overall per game. Top offensive threat is sophomore quarterback Travis Smith (6-1, 180), who has accounted for an amazing 45 touchdowns, 23 via the run. Senior Charles Schnetzler (6-2, 190) is Smith's favorite target with 58 receptions for 858 yards and 12 touchdowns. Leading rusher is 5-11, 210-pound Garrett Miniard, who has 1,268 yards on 167 carries and scored 16 times. Smith is the No. 2 rusher with 925 yards in 136 carries.

Key matchup: Ithaca's passing attack vs. Constantine's pass defense. The Falcons will have to prevent the big play through the air. Helping the defense would be long drives on offense that keep Ithaca's offense on the sideline.

— Del Nelwell