This year, Holton and Hayden will meet one game earlier — in substate — at 7 p.m. Friday in Holton.

Holton won the state title last year, 34-21. Holton finished last year’s campaign with a 13-1 record, while Hayden finished 12-2.

This season, both Wildcat teams currently are undefeated at 12-0 heading into Friday’s game.

Holton defeated Wamego, Lansing and Fort Scott thus far, while Hayden has defeated Marysville, Tonganoxie and Eudora. Tonganoxie has been Hayden’s toughest test. The Wildcats outlasted Tonganoxie, 27-14 Nov. 6 in Topeka.

In the other Class 4A substate game, Rose Hill (8-4) will take on Ulysses (12-0) at 7 p.m. Friday in Rose Hill.

In Class 6A, Shawnee Mission West (9-2) takes on Olathe South (9-2) and Hutchinson (9-2) meets Derby (8-3).

In Class 5A, Olathe North (11-0) will meet Blue Valley West (8-3), while Salina South (8-3) will take on Great Bend (9-2) in the other substate game.

In Class 3A, the U.S. Highway 24 rivalry continues with Rossvlle (8-4) meeting Silver Lake (9-3) in Silver Lake. In the other semifinal game, undefeated Conway Springs (12-0) takes on once-beaten Garden Plain (11-1).

In Class 2-1A, it’s a battle of four unbeatens. Sedan (12-0) takes on Pittsburg-Colgan (11-0), while Smith Center (12-0) battles Claflin (12-0).

The state’s two smallest classes will have their state championship games on Saturday in Russell.

In Eight-man Division I, Baileyville B&B (12-0) will play Victoria (9-3) at 2:45 p.m.

In Eight-man Division II, Sylvan Grove (12-0) will meet Hanston (12-0) at 11 a.m.