Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Seton-LaSalle quarterback Bill Stull needs only 128 more yards to reach 3,000 yards apssing for the season and become the first player in WPIAL history to reach that mark. Click photo for larger image.

The most prolific passing game in WPIAL history meets a defense that thrives on intercepting passes. The Class AA championship game is an absolutely perfect matchup -- in more ways than one.

Seton-LaSalle takes on Aliquippa for the title Saturday at Heinz Field. Seton-LaSalle features receiver Carmen Connolly, the state record-holder for receptions in a season.

The Rebels also have quarterback Bill Stull, who has a good shot at becoming the first quarterback in WPIAL history to throw for 3,000 yards in a season.

On the other side, Aliquippa's defense has more sticky hands than a kindergarten class after an art project.

The Quips thrive on takeaways. They have forced 43 turnovers in 12 games and intercepted 23 passes.

While the offense-defense matchup is interesting, something else makes this championship game absolutely perfect. Both teams are 12-0.

This is only the seventh time since 1980 that a championship game has matched perfect teams.

"Everybody's been talking about this game all season," Seton-LaSalle coach Lou Cerro said. "Even when the playoffs started, my friends were saying, 'Oh, you're going to play Aliquippa.' I told them we had to win some other games first, but this one is finally here."

Aliquippa has been the Post-Gazette's No. 1 WPIAL Class AA team since the preseason. Seton-LaSalle has been No. 2 since Week 5.

"At the beginning of the year, everyone figured it was going to be the two of us at the end," Zmijanac said. "I don't put much stock into what other people think, but here it is."

These are the past two WPIAL champions. Aliquippa won the title last year and has a 21-game winning streak. Seton-LaSalle won the 2002 championship.

Aliquippa is trying for its 13th WPIAL title. Seton-LaSalle has won four.

"Aliquippa is the model program," Cerro said.

Stull and Connolly could be considered the model pass-catch combination.

	UNDEFEATED FINALS The Seton-LaSalle-Aliquippa Class AA final Saturday is only the seventh time two undefeated and untied teams have met in a title game since the WPIAL went to four classifications in 1980. Here are the other six. Year Class Outcome 1986 AAAA Gateway 0, North Hills 0 1993 AAAA North Hills 21, Upper St. Clair 14 1996 AAA Blackhawk 24, Belle Vernon 6 1999 AAA West Allegheny 37, Belle Vernon 12 2000 AA Aliquippa 14, Waynesburg 6 2003 AAA Pine-Richland 21, Thomas Jefferson 7

Connolly has 103 receptions this season for 1,365 yards and needs only five more catches to move onto the top 20 list all-time nationally. Stull has completed 209 of 333 (63 percent) for 2,872 yards and needs only 128 more yards for 3,000. He has 36 touchdown passes and only 10 interceptions.

When asked if Seton-LaSalle has the best passing game his team has faced, Zmijanac said, "I don't know. We'll find out."

Aliquippa's defensive backs are extremely talented. Brandon Revis has eight interceptions and Tommie Campbell and Sjavante Gilliam have four each.

"Their team speed is frightening," Cerro said. "It's giving me nightmares."

But maybe the key to this game is Seton-LaSalle's defense against Aliquippa's running attack. Aliquippa's Desmond Patrick has rushed for 1,235 yards.

"No one ever talks about our defense, but that gives our kids a little extra motivation," Cerro said

"Our defense has played well all season. Our defense has to play well because Aliquippa is a team that can drive the ball 80 yards or score on one long play."