MONROE - It's been decades since Monroe football coach Toby Golembiewski lived in Pewuakee and attended Heartland Arrowhead High School. But tomorrow, he'll have a reunion of sorts against his hometown team.

Friday's WIAA Division 3 state quarterfinal game between Monroe (11-0) and Pewaukee (10-1) is sure to bring out his best coaching performance.

"It's a way different town now," Golembiewski said of Pewaukee. "Now, it's a metropolitan area like a suburbia. When I was living there, it was a lot of farms and a town a lot like Monroe."

The last time the Cheesemakers were this deep in the playoffs, Monroe made the state semifinals in 2000. This year, the Cheesemakers are looking to continue to turn back the clock on their playoff success.

"We are grateful for everything that has happened to put us in this position," Golembiewski said. "I believe at the beginning of the season no one thought we would make it this far. Unless you were in the weight room with these kids this summer, I don't think you could have seen this coming. We are the big surprise. To be in round three and be undefeated was unexpected at first. Once we knew how good of a team we had, expectations changed."

Monroe's high-powered Wing-T offense is averaging 33.6 points per game and 343 rushing yards per game.

Monroe senior fullback Isaac Allen has rushed for 1,336 yards and scored 20 touchdowns this year. He's also caught three touchdowns out of the backfield. Senior running back Jacob Kind has rushed for 1,085 yards and nine TDs and senior Cole Murray has 981 rushing yards and 13 TDs.

Senior quarterback Tyler Elmer has been a dual-threat all season with 399 rushing yards with two TDs and 422 passing yards with five TDs.

The Pirates gave up more than 500 yards of offense to Delavan-Darien in their 28-7 win last week.

Pewaukee runs 4-4 and 5-3 defense utilizing linebackers to blitz at times.

"In general, for defense that like to blitz, they may stop us for 1- or 2-yards; we know eventually we will pop one for a long touchdown," Golembiewski said. "We feel like when we get lucky, we will have some plays go for a TD. They (Pewaukee) have really big guys on their offensive and defensive lines."

Pewaukee runs a variation of the Cheesemakers' Wing-T offense.

"Coaches vary the offense to their talent," Golembiewski said. "They are a three back attack."

Pewaukee running back Seth Bickett has rushed for 991 yards and 13 TDs this year. He lines up at running back and at fullback at times. The Pirates have three backs with more than 500 rushing yards, but Bickett has been their true workhorse back.

"I think what makes their running attack successful is because they make you defend three backs," Golembiewski said. "They have a big offensive line. He is the bigger horse."

The Cheesemakers' defense plays against a similar style of offense facing its own offense in practice. Golembiewski doesn't feel that will give the defense a step up come Friday.

"It's not a sure thing. Just because we see it in practice doesn't mean they won't find matchups and execute and will not be successful," he said.

Pewaukee quarterback Josh Swanson has passed for 875 yards with 10 TDs and eight interceptions. Swanson is completing just 46.5 percent of his passes this season.

Golembiewski said Swanson likes the long pass on the bootleg.

"He likes to throw that deep route on the waggle," he said. "When they hit it, it's a big one. That would explain his percentage and yards."

The Cheesemakers have a stingy defense that is allowing just 13.3 points per game. Monroe senior Carter Sawdey has a team-high seven interceptions for a defense that is averages two turnovers a game.

"I think we have a good group of kids back there that can play with just about anybody," Golembiewski said of the Cheesemakers' secondary.