MONROE - Even though the Monroe High School football team is taking on Baraboo in a nonconference game Friday there still is a lot to play.

"We are not taking it as a breather," Monroe coach Toby Golembiewski said of the game against the Thunderbirds. "The conference record dictates if you get in the playoffs. Your overall record dictates your seed. This game will be just as intense."

While Monroe (5-0, 3-0 Badger South), ranked No. 8 in the WisSports.net Division 3 Coaches' poll, is playoff eligible, the Cheesemakers are trying to keep an unbeaten season intact and are looking to secure home-field advantage for the playoffs in addition to winning a Badger South Conference championship. Knocking off Baraboo (2-3) is just another steppingstone on Monroe's list of goals that revolves around a conference title and includes making a deep playoff run.

"When you go out there and have the success we have had, you put a target on your back," Golembiewski said. "Everyone wants to say if we go out and knock them (Monroe) off that is something they can hang their hat on."

The Thunderbirds run a wing-t offense similar to the Cheesemakers, but they rely on one running back in senior Noah Larson to do the heavy lifting. Larson, the state's sixth-leading rusher, has run for 985 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He's averaging 197 rushing yards per game and 6.9 yards per carry. At 230 pounds, Larson is the focal point of the Thunderbirds' offense. While the Cheesemakers rely on a stable of running backs, the Thunderbirds ride Larson as much as possible.

One of the strengths all season for the Cheesemakers - in addition to a prolific offense that is averaging 36.3 points per game - has been its veteran defense. The Cheesemakers have had a stingy defense all season that is giving up just 10.4 points per game and has one shutout.

"He's definitely a guy who gets a lot of carries," Golembiewski said of Larson. "He has a role as a fullback and a tailback. He's such a big guy he's hard to tackle. He has good speed too. He will be a challenge to tackle, but they have other weapons too and we don't want to lose sight of them too."

Baraboo is coming off a 42-10 win over Sauk Prairie in which Larson rushed for 230 yards and scored four TDs.

The game the Thunderbirds have in common with the Cheesemakers this season is against Madison Edgewood, which scored a 24-13 win over Baraboo.

Baraboo quarterback Tom Ginther has passed for 408 yards with one touchdown this season. He's completing 52 percent of his passes and has not thrown an interception. Baraboo tight end Paddy O'Rourke is the leading receiver for the Thunderbirds with 12 receptions for 190 yards.

"Our defensive line is tough up front," Golembiewski said. "We have some good team speed on defense. We have had some games where we have made mistakes, but they are fast enough to recover."

The Cheesemakers have been clicking on all cylinders on offense. Monroe is on pace to produce three running backs who could eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in the same year. The Cheesemakers are averaging 368.4 total rushing yards per game. Senior fullback Isaac Allen has rushed for 556 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Senior teammate Jacob Kind (550 yards and six TDs) and senior Cole Murray (449 rushing yards and four TDs) have proven to be invaluable playmakers.

The Thunderbirds run a 4-4 defense and at times a 5-3 defense that is similar to defensive looks the Cheesemakers faced at times against Sauk Prairie, Edgewood and Monona Grove.

"As long as we do what we are supposed to do (blocking assignments) we should have success," Golembiewski said. "We will do whatever it takes to win the game. If we have to throw it to win, we will. We just want to keep it rolling."