Whether anyone expected Robinson or Thomas Dale to be playing for a state title when this season began doesn't matter now. One of them will be crowned champion tomorrow. The Rams (11-1) and Knights (11-1) meet at University of Richmond Stadium in the Group AAA Division 6 state title game. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.

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``People didn't give us a hill of beans chance at the beginning of the year," Thomas Dale coach Vic Williams told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. ``But we knew we had a good team."

Article on Thomas Dale and their Quarterback Micah Womack

The Central Region champion Knights upset Hylton - the Associated Press' No. 1 team in the state heading into the playoffs - last weekend in a state semifinal. Thomas Dale fell behind 22-8 but held the Bulldogs scoreless after halftime, and senior defensive back Jonathan Chapman's fumble recovery in the end zone with 3 minutes, 39 seconds left in the fourth quarter capped a miraculous comeback in the Knights' 27-22 victory.

``[Thomas Dale] is really a lot like us," Robinson senior running back Mike Imoh said. ``No one expected them to be here."

Robinson's 27-12 semifinal win over Deep Creek last Saturday didn't require such drama. The Rams never trailed, and their 317 rushing yards were the most since a 55-20 win over Annandale in Week 4. Imoh and quarterback Brian Gulley each eclipsed the century mark, gaining 141 and 106 yards, respectively on the ground.

And this Saturday, whichever team has success in the ground game will likely emerge victorious. Running back Nick Fleming, who has rushed for 1,693 yards and 21 touchdowns this season, leads the Knights on offense. Last week against Hylton, the sophomore rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Senior quarterback Micah Womack has completed just 28 passes for 488 yards in the Knights' 12 games and his favorite target, senior wide receiver Pierre Lee, has nine catches for 234 yards.

Robinson owns an edge in the passing game. Gulley doesn't throw often, but has repeatedly come through in clutch situations while passing for 920 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.

Senior linebacker Leonard Brooks, the Central District Defensive Player of the Year, leads the Knights defense and had a team-high 13 tackles against Hylton.

``[Thomas Dale] is real aggressive, and their linebackers are real good," Imoh said. ``They pursue the ball real well, and that's the sign of a good defense."

Though Thomas Dale made its first playoff appearance in four years this season, the Knights are no stranger to success. They were the state runners-up in 1992 and lost state semifinals in 1993 and 1996, both in overtime.

``We've been underdogs all year," Lee told the Times-Dispatch before the Hylton game. ``Proving people wrong gives you a real good feeling."

Robinson, in search of its second state title in five years, spent this entire season ranked No. 2 in the Journal Top 10 poll. But the Rams knocked off No. 1 Centreville 27-17 in the Northern Region final two weeks ago, earning Robinson a measure of revenge. The Wildcats ended the Rams' season and dream of a state title in last year's region final.

Much of the talk in Robinson's camp over the last few weeks has been about how painful it was to watch last year's seniors walk off their home field knowing their ultimate goal was not reached.

This year's senior class is determined to avoid such a feeling.

``We talked about that [yesterday]," Imoh said. ``Do we want to be remembered as a team that was satisfied just to make it to the state final, or one who won it?

``Now it's up to us to see what our destiny is going to be."