Facing the Gateway football team this season, opposing defenses are forced into an exercise of picking their poison.

Judging by the Gators' 12-0 record and WPIAL Class AAAA-high 45.3 points per game, opponents haven't chosen too wisely.

Then again, there aren't too many shrewd options when it comes to what Gateway skill position player one chooses to let beat him.

"That's what we do," senior receiver Dayonne Nunley said. "Whoever shows up that game, that's what they're going to do; they're going to score. There are a bunch of guys on this team who can do that. That's how we did it all year, that's what we do."

Nunley, running backs Orne Bey, Brendon Felder and Markie'd Jones, receivers Steve Vranka and Armstead Williams ... all are weapons who have the ability to make big plays every time they touch the ball.

And with 6,000-yard career passer Ron Kalkstein calling the shots at quarterback, it hasn't been difficult distributing it to each.

"We definitely push each other and give each other motivation," Felder said. "In practice, you can see it in everyone's eyes that everyone just gives everyone else motivation. No one wants the ball more than anyone else; we all just want to win. That's all we can strive for, to win a game."

Gateway has done plenty of that and will play for the WPIAL Class AAAA championship 8 p.m. Friday at Heinz Field against Woodland Hills (11-1). The Gators have amassed 4,387 yards of offense this season -- an average of 366 per game -- and have scored 71 touchdowns (5.9 per contest).

And they've been coming from several different sources. Felder, a 6-foot, 171-pound senior and a North Carolina recruit, leads the team with 20 touchdowns, including three in a 42-20 win against North Hills last Friday in the semifinals.

"He was big-time tonight," Gateway coach Terry Smith said on the field after the game. "He runs the ball tough between the tackles, and broke a couple big ones for us and got those tough yards, especially down close to goal line."

As is usually the case, Felder wasn't the only Gateway player with a big game Friday. Nunley had a strong game's worth just minutes into the contest. His first two touches against North Hills were a 59-yard catch and run for a touchdown and an 82-yard kickoff return for a score.

Nunley, a 5-8, 165-pound senior, verbally committed to Miami (Ohio) University earlier this season. He has nine touchdowns and third on the team with 18 receptions.

"He's explosive," Smith said. "He showed why Miami wanted him. They love him, and he answered the bell [Friday]. He made some tremendous plays, big-time plays. And what an outstanding kid. If you ever get to talk to him, he'll smile and make you smile."

Moments later, Nunley flashed that trademark grin when told what Smith said.

"I just love football," he said. "This is my favorite thing to do, this sport is my life, it's what I do. Without it, I don't know what I'd do."

Bey also was offered a scholarship by Miami. A 5-9, 175-pound senior, he leads the team in rushing with 769 yards on 84 attempts (9.2 average) and has scored 11 touchdowns.

Vranka (5-10, 165), another senior, leads the team in receptions (33) and receiving yards (792) and is second in touchdowns with 12.

Williams is only a junior but also has big-time college potential. Williams, 6-3, 220, is second on the team with 19 catches and 407 receiving yards.

Jones, 5-9, 173, hasn't always been a major part of the offense for games this season, but when he has played, he's made an impact. Jones has 58 carries for 477 yards (8.2 average) and seven touchdowns.

Orchestrating it all with so many weapons at his disposal is Kalkstein, who broke the school single-season record for touchdown passes with 26. He has completed 102 of 159 passes (64 percent) for 2,148 yards, and is grateful for all the playmakers surrounding him ... and to be playing in the WPIAL title game for the third consecutive season.

"It makes my job a whole lot easier," Kalkstein said. "We've got guys on the outside who have a lot of speed and can make plays. I just have to get them the ball.

"And our front line, they won that game for us [Friday]. It's a great group of guys. We have team chemistry. I'm excited to go back to Heinz Field. We're going to play a lot harder this year."

• WPIAL Class AAAA championship: Gateway (12-0) vs. Woodland Hills (11-1), 8 p.m.

• Where: Heinz Field.

• TV: FSN Pittsburgh.

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