The Holy Spirit and Immaculata high school football teams share the same nickname - Spartans.
They also share a tradition of excellence.
On Saturday, they will meet for the state Non-Public II title. The teams will kick off at 7 p.m. at The College of New Jersey in Ewing Township.
Holy Spirit seeks its third straight state title. The Spartans won the Non-Public III championship in 2010 and the Non-Public II crown last year.
Immaculata will be especially motivated as Saturday's game will be the final one in the 47-year career of its coach, Pierce Frauenheim.
Immaculata and Holy Spirit have played three times in the playoffs, with Immaculata holding a 2-1 edge. Holy Spirit won 26-13 when they met in the 2007 state Non-Public III title game.
Neither team has been challenged in the playoffs this season. Immaculata has outscored its two opponents 96-13. Holy Spirit has won its two games by the combined score of 79-6.
Immaculata defensive end Tashawn Bower has verbally committed to Auburn.
Key players for Holy Spirit: Taalib Gerald; RB; Jeff Steeb, RB/LB; A.J. Dawson, RB/DB; T.J. Anderson, QB; Liam Nolan, WR; Steve Domonoski, OL; Ray Ellis, OL/DL
Key players for Immaculata: Antonio Natale, QB; Tashawn Bower, DE; Trevor Socarras, WR; Connor Vanderbeek, RB; Chandler Vanderbeek, RB; Matt Charneski, OL.
Keys to victory: Immaculata is a veteran team. Natale is a three-year starter at quarterback. Holy Spirit cannot turn the ball over on offense. If Spirit limits turnovers, its defense may be stingy enough and its offense may make enough big plays to pull out the victory.
