Friday night in Sacramento it will be a test of the punishing ground game versus the aerial attack when Capital Christian’s Cougars host Mariposa at 7 p.m. in Sacramento.

It is the semi-final round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs, and at least on paper, the Cougars are favored.

“They are tough and very disciplined,” said Grizzly head coach Bob Kelly. “We’ll have to be real physical with the intensity that we have learned the second half of the season.”

Capital Christian won the Golden Empire League outright with a spotless 6-0 record. It finished the regular season at 7-3. The only common opponent of the two foes is Lindhurst, which the Cougars handled, 42-6, and Mariposa dismantled, 34-0.

“We will try to control the ball with our ground game, and I know we will be more physical than they will,” Kelly said. “Defensively, we’re going to have to bring it and disrupt their passing game by playing their receiver physically and getting after the quarterback. To be successful, we have to fly around the ball and knock people down. If we do that, we have a chance.”

The Cougars are led by senior quarterback James Lee (6’3”, 175 pounds). Lee has completed 64 percent of his pass attempts and throws for an average of 222 yards per game. He has hit 29 touchdowns and thrown just 8 interceptions.

His favorite target is senior wide receiver Paul Roberson (5’10”, 150 pounds). Roberson has hauled in 48 passes for 816 yards and a 17-yard per catch average and 13 touchdowns. The second Cougar receiving threat is junior wideout David Oates (6’1”, 152-pounds). He has 32 catches for 624 yards to average 19.5 yards per catch, good for 6 touchdowns.

Capital Christian’s top running back is senior Keith Johnson (5’9”, 189 pounds). He has carried 138 times for 951 yards, 6.89-yards per run. Johnson has scored 6 touchdowns.

In the rushing game Capital Christian picks up an average of 193 yards per game on the ground with Johnson averaging 95.1. Mariposa, winner of 5 of its last 6, is averaging 255 yards via the rush per game.

In the air, the Cougars average 225 yards per match, while the Grizzlies throw for just 64.3 yards per game.

In total yardage, Capital Christian is averaging 418 offensive yards per game, while the Grizzlies roll up an average of 319 yards per contest.

In scoring average, the two teams are almost even. The Cougars average 36.2 points per game, while Mariposa comes in at 34.5

“We know we’re going to have to bring our ‘A’ game, but if we do, we really have a chance,” Kelly said.