Grant Waters / For the Amarillo Globe-News Stratford running back Klinton Keener could take on a bigger role today when the Elks face Cayuga for the state title with top back Jesse Lopez nursing an injury.

Stratford will try to accomplish something that hasn't been done in more than 70 years when it meets Cayuga for the Class 1A Division II state championship at 3 p.m. today at Abilene's Shotwell Stadium.

The Elks will be going for their third state title in this decade.

The last time an area team won three state titles in the same decade was when Amarillo High did so in 1934-1936.

Stratford won its first state title in 2000, then followed with its second in 2005. The Elks also lost in the championship game in 2004.

These two teams are run-oriented, but each can throw the ball effectively when needed.

Much of the talk heading into this game has centered on the dominant running backs both teams have.

For Cayuga, it is Class 1A offensive player of the year Traylon Shead, a junior who has 3,333 yards rushing and 51 touchdowns.

For Stratford, it is simply whether senior Jesse Lopez, who has 1,857 yards and 25 TDs, will be able to play.

He suffered an injury late in last week's semifinal win against Albany and has not practiced much during the week.

''Jesse's injury has been pretty much day-to-day,'' said Elks head coach Eddie Metcalf. ''He wasn't able to practice much, but hopefully he might be able to play come game time.''

If Lopez isn't able to go, the Stratford running game, which has averaged 244 yards per game, could center on senior Klinton Keener, who has gained 824 yards on 142 carries with seven TDs.

''Injuries are part of football,'' said Metcalf. ''We've had our share to some key players this season, and we've been able to survive.''

Cayuga head coach Tommy Allison said most of his team's opponents have focused on Shead this season.

''Most teams that we play go into the game keying on him,'' he said.

''We are a running team from the spread formation, but we've had success throwing the ball, too. Our quarterback, Broc January, has thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 14 TDs while being intercepted just twice.''

Stratford quarterback Kaleb Horsford has thrown for 1,573 yards and 25 TDs, and is completing 57 percent of his attempts. Angel Resendes has caught 28 passes for 650 yards and 11 TDs to lead the way. Luis Ortega has 21 catches for 217 yards, while Maunel Chavoya has 20 catches for 468 yards.

Allison says if the Wildcats are to win a state title in their first try, they must play especially well against a Stratford team that is playing in its fourth title game this decade.

''They are an outstanding team,'' Allison said. ''They don't make many mistakes.''

Ask Metcalf what his team must do to win, and it's pretty much the same.

''With a player as good as Shead you have to focus on their running game,'' he said. ''But it's not all they do. They can throw the ball when they have to.

''No team has really shut down Shead, and I wouldn't think we will. We need to try and limit what he does when they are on offense.

''The key for us will be to control the ball when we have it and try to limit his touches.''

Up Next

# The Game: Stratford (13-1) vs. Cayuga (13-2), 3 p.m today, Shotwell Stadium, Abilene.

# At stake: The Class 1A Division II state championship. The Road to the Finals

# Stratford (13-1): Childress, W, 29-25; Sundown, W, 44-10; Spearman, W, 42-14; Bushland, L, 39-21; Friona, W, 17-7; Sunray, W, 46-21; Canadian, W, 17-7; Gruver, W, 40-0; Booker, W, 54-6; West Texas, W, 56-13; bidistrict, bye; area, Nazareth, W, 41-7; regionals, Sundown, W, 48-30; quarterfinals, Iraan, W, 55-15; semifinals, Albany, W, 28-0.

# Cayuga (13-2): Frankston, W, 48-20; Grand Saline, W, 57-0; Dawson, W, 43-20; Kerens, L, 39-14; Carlisle, W, 54-21; Overton, W, 55-6; Cross Roads, W, 53-0; Cushing, W, 56-0; Alto, W, 35-24; Grapeland, L, 27-20; bi-district, Tenaha, W, 18-16; area, Simms Bowie, W, 33-19; regional, Bremond, W, 35-32; quarterfinals, Maud, W, 27-18; semifinals, Ganado, W, 42-7.