Don't expect to see too many footballs zipping throw the air at Elizabeth Forward High School tomorrow night.

Keystone Oaks and Greensburg Central Catholic like running the ball and it has been each respective running game that led the two to meet in the WPIAL Class AA semifinal.

"We both live and die by the run," said Greensburg Central coach Muzzy Colosimo, whose Centurions last met Keystone Oaks in 2003 when they earned a 29-28 overtime win.

Three of the WPIAL's top running backs will be featured in tomorrow night's 7:30 p.m. semifinal contest.

Keystone Oaks' backfield duo of Matt McCann and Jordan Maddox combined for more than 2,500 yards for the Golden Eagles during the regular season.

Greensburg Central's David Miller, however, earned the WPIAL regular-season scoring title for the second year in a row with 27 touchdowns and one two-point conversion for 164 points. Last year, he scored 200 points during the regular season.

"We're two predominant running teams," said Keystone Oaks coach Nick Kamberis, whose Golden Eagles are making their first semifinal appearance in program history. "They have a great back in Miller. He can take the ball the distance.

"For those Western Pennsylvania [football] purists, this is going to be a fun game to watch."

Keystone Oaks (10-1) enters the semifinal following a 36-7 decision over Mount Pleasant last week. Maddox accounted for three touchdowns and 207 yards.

"I guess if I were to use the phrase, 'We're hitting on all cylinders,' that would pretty much be it," Kamberis said. "We're doing things right.

"Like I tell the boys, it doesn't matter how well we're playing right now; it's how you play Friday nights what counts. I just hope we keep things moving like we have."

The Golden Eagles did not commit a turnover in their second-round win.

"When you get to the playoffs, you have to focus on running the football, stopping the run, respecting the football and keeping the penalties down to a minimum," Kamberis said.

"Respecting the football is the big one. You're not going to win many games giving up the ball."

The Centurions (9-2), who have reached the Class AA semifinals for the fourth time since 2004, took advantage of seven turnovers during their 30-3 second-round romp over Center.

"As a team, we're playing solid both offensively and defensively," said Colosimo, whose program last made the semifinal round in 2006. "When you're able to play the game the whole way [offense, defense and special teams], you're going to have that chance to win.

"It comes down to who makes the least amount of mistakes and who wins the kicking war."

Colosimo attributes the play of his special teams to the Centurions recent postseason success.

"Our punter, Travis Andring, has saved us," Colosimo said. "We've been inside our own 10 and have been able to put [opposing teams] inside their 20. He's only a sophomore and he's a Division I punter, there's no doubt in my mind. The last two weeks he's been on fire. He gets better and better each week."

Miller, however, was a major factor in Greensburg Central's win over Center. A senior running back, he gained 207 yards on 30 carries and scored three touchdowns. He has gained 764 yards and scored 11 touchdowns during the Centurions' past three games.

"Our line has been phenomenal," Colosimo said. "Last year at this time we were sitting at home because David Miller was hurt. He's healthy now."

And Kamberis is well aware of Miller.

"We have to tackle," he said. "They're going to run that power off-tackle [running game] and they do it well, so you can't bring a back like Miller down with an arm tackle. We have to get to the ball and get him to the ground.

"They're a well coached team. I know Muzzy and his kids play fundamentally sound. Their kids play hard and they play you physical. This is going to be a tough test."

Both teams will still need quality performances from their respective quarterbacks.

Greensburg Central senior quarterback Trent Hurley, a Bowling Green recruit, threw for 1,288 yards during the regular season. His main target has been senior Evan Marshall, who is averaging close to 20 yards a reception.

"We're not a passing team, but sophomore Matt Buckley has done a great job," Kamberis said. "No one's been talking about him because of our backs, but he's been very efficient. If we throw the ball five times, he's completing most of those passes and they usually come at big times during the game.

"You can't line up and run the ball every down, so you need a quarterback to make those needed completions and the play-action. Matt has done a nice job with that."

Colosimo expects a somewhat balanced attack from the Golden Eagles.

"Without looking at any game tapes, I know they're a physical team and they have athletic kids," he said. "After watching film, I know they're big and powerful. They have two good running backs and their quarterback doesn't make a lot of mistakes.

"I think Nick has been around long enough and has that winning attitude and his kids have adopted his attitude.

"This is going to come down to not giving up that big play, especially on special teams. A punt or kickoff return [against you] could lose it for you."

• What: Greensburg Central Catholic (9-2) vs. Keystone Oaks (10-1).

• When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.

• Where: Elizabeth Forward High School's Warrior Stadium.

• The skinny: This is the "other" Class AA semifinal with the winner meeting Aliquippa or Beaver Falls. Keystone Oaks has never been to a football semifinal. Greensburg Central Catholic played in the WPIAL Class AA title games in 2005 and '06.

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.