By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

Roger Barta is fully aware of the historical ramifications for his Smith Center prep football team in Saturday's Class 2-1A state championship game against Olpe.

But as always, Barta and his players remain focused solely on the contest -- and not the bevy of records that his Redmen could set or tie with a victory.

"What we are doing now is trying to win one more game," said Barta, in his 31st year as Smith Center's head coach.

A win would give Smith Center 67 straight victories and break the all-classifications state record for consecutive victories, set by Pittsburg/St.Mary's-Colgan from 2000-04. It also would mark the Redmen's record-tying fifth straight state title. Kickoff is 12:30 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium.

Lawrence won five straight titles in Class 6A from 1989-93, while Midway-Denton captured five in a row in the eight-man ranks from 1984-88. Hutchinson, which will play in the Class 5A title game against St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday, could also win its fifth straight championship.

Smith Center (12-0) returned just four starters from last year's record-breaking team that outscored opponents 844-20. The Redmen, though, have kept their streak alive, a run that Barta and his players haven't discussed.

"We don't talk about it until it is over," Barta said. "I think when it is over, I think it is something that we can look back and it will be special because it involved a lot of kids over a long period of time. We have been blessed with really good kids. Of course, I am blessed with great coaches, and the community support, school support is tremendous."

"Coach tells us not to think about the streak too much," senior halfback Joe Osburn said. "He tells us to worry about the next game and the streak is just something that comes along with it."

Olpe (13-0) has never won a state championship and will make its first trip to the state title game since 1976. The Eagles shut out Pittsburg-Colgan 22-0 in the sub-state championship game and ended a possible rematch between Pittsburg-Colgan and Smith Center.

Smith Center, which also won 3A state titles in 1999, 1986 and 1982, defeated Pittsburg-Colgan in the 2004 state championship game and stopped Pittsburg-Colgan's state record winning streak and chance at five titles. Smith Center also defeated Pittsburg-Colgan in 2005 and 2007 for the state title. This year, the chance at beating Smith Center falls to Olpe.

"There is talk about it," Olpe coach Chris Schmidt said. "Our kids have heard stuff. A lot of people thought it would be Colgan and Smith Center in the championship, and it would ironic because Colgan has the record and Smith Center would be trying to break it. I don't think our kids are wrapped up too much in that."

Statistically, Olpe will be the toughest defense Smith Center has faced this season.

"They are very athletic, they look strong and they are quick and fast and they are well coached," Barta said. "They are the real deal. They are a good football team. They have a great defense and are sound on offense and can run and throw."

Smith Center ranks second in Class 2-1A in scoring defense, allowing 8.8 points per game. Olpe has permitted 63 points all year, an average of 4.9 per game. Only 5A Gardner-Edgerton has allowed fewer points in Kansas football, according to preppowerindex.com.

"Probably the best thing about our team is they play as a team," Schmidt said. "We don't have one or two guys that just stand out and is all over the field. We rely on everybody, all 11 of us to do our job."

Smith Center, which leads all 11-man teams in scoring offense at 49.6 points per game, has featured several weapons in its wishbone/belly series offense that features ball fakes and the penchant for long runs.

"I don't think you can watch the ball," Schmidt said. "They do a great job handling the ball when the quarterback turns. We are going to take care of all three options. We are going to have to take care of the first dive back and then the second dive back and then take care of the quarterback."

Junior halfback Colt Rogers leads the Redmen with 1,715 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Osburn has collected 1,268 yards, 17 yards per carry and 15 scores.

Senior Trevor Rempe also has 895 rushing yards and 15 TDs. Overall, the offensive line, led by 350-pound senior tackle Justin Nixon, has led the way for 5,760 rushing yards and 9.6 yards per carry.

"It starts up front for them and their line does a good job of caving down," Schmidt said. "We are just going to have to do a good job of staying low."

Olpe, averaging 39 points per game, is paced by senior Cole Krueger (1,300 rushing yards, 24 TDs) and junior quarterback Matt Redeker (1,600 total yards, 20 TDs). Since Week 4, Smith Center's defense has permitted just 48 points en route to eight wins.

A similar performance could yield a win for the record books on Saturday, something that the Redmen aren't focused on.

"We are concentrating on (Saturday) and nothing else," Barta said.