RUMFORD – As Travis Ruff talks about the weather forecast from Saturday’s championship game, he barely can contain a smile.

“According to the weather, it’s supposed to be real bad and windy,” said the Mountain Valley senior. “So it should be a real physical, grinding, old-school football game, right at each other.”

The Mountain Valley Falcons wouldn’t have it any other way.

The defending Western B champions host Cape Elizabeth at Hosmer Field on Saturday at 12:30. The regional final won’t be a clash of two finesse teams. The inclement weather may only add to the down and dirty nature of this rivalry. The Falcons and Capers like to play hard-nosed football, which could make Saturday’s matchup resemble an irresistible force against the immovable object.

“Their athletic and intense,” said Mountain Valley coach Jim Aylward. “We’re athletic and intense. We can tell that they respect us, but we also know they want to knock the crown right off our heads. We respect them, and we want to knock the snot right out of their nose.”

The Falcons beat the Capers two weeks ago, 34-6. Mountain Valley totaled 468 yards to Cape’s 145. The Capers were also plagued by two fumbles and an interception.

“The first time we played them, they played us tough most of the game,” said Aylward, whose team had a 6-0 lead at the half and broke the game open with 22 points in the final quarter. “We expect the same thing. Our kids respect the ability of the Cape football team. These kids are not overconfident by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe the town is, but the people who have to do the real dirty work Saturday, we’re ready to go.”

All the Falcons have to remind themselves is that last year, Cape beat Mountain Valley 16-14 in the regular season. The Falcons returned the favor two weeks later in the regional final, 10-0.

“Everybody’s seen what each other has,” said senior Matt Laubauskas. “It’s a matter of which team comes out with the most heart to play the game.”

The Falcons used its ground game to pound out 363 yards in the first game. Justin Staires had 202 yards on 21 carries while Laubauskas added 91 yards on nine tries. Cam Kaubris was nearly perfect in the air, competing six of seven passes for 95 yards and three touchdowns. The 34 points were the fewest scored by a Mountain Valley team that averaged 55 per outing.

“We controlled the ball,” said Ruff. “They threw it downfield a couple of times and got lucky, but overall, we controlled the ball. We moved the ball better and grinded another one out.”

Cape averaged 32 points per game and gave up an average of 12. In the regular season loss, receiver Finn Melanson caught six Ezra Wolfinger passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Back Tom Foden was held to just 44 yards. He had 325 all purpose yards and three touchdowns in a come-from-behind win against York last week.

“We’ve definitely got to shut down Foden,” said Laubauskas. “We have to narrow the field on him. They have quite a few good ballplayers. So do we. We just have to come out to play.”

In a season of many mismatches, the Falcons know this is one of the games they’ve worked toward all season. It also could be their biggest challenge to date.

“They’re definitely the quickest and fastest team we’ve played all year,” said Ruff. “They’re big and strong and physical. If we don’t play good, it’s going to be a long game.”

The Falcons are gunning for their fourth regional title in the last five years and third straight. Mountain Valley has been able to do that by executing when it mattered most. Aylward hopes Saturday is no exception.

“Last year, both times we played them, we played our best football,” said Aylward. “I thought we played our best football against them two weeks ago. I expect to play our best football again Saturday.”