CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Lenox has been in this situation before. It’s safe to say that it likes its position.

The Tigers were considered huge underdogs last season when they entered the Eight-Man championship game against Armstrong-Ringsted. The Mustangs had beaten the state’s No. 1 and 2 teams by a combined 106-34 in the previous two rounds.

Lenox shocked many by knocking off Armstrong-Ringstead 34-32.

The same two teams will square off again today at 10:35 a.m. for the Eight-Man title. No. 1 Lenox (13-0) is seeking to become the third Iowa Eight-Man school (Adair-Casey, Sentral) to repeat as champions.

Meanwhile, No. 5 Armstrong-Ringsted (12-1) is the first Iowa Eight-Man team to play in three straight championship games. The Mustangs, however, are seeking their first title. They lost 32-24 to Stanton in 2007.

In last week’s semifinals, A-R destroyed Adair-Casey 64-22, while Lenox beat Preston 30-8. Anyone who witnessed those two games might give the decided edge to Armstrong-Ringsted. That’s fine with Lenox coach Allen Dukes.

“We don’t think we have any pressure on us,’’ he said. “I really feel that A-R and coach (Robert) Zotz have a lot of pressure. This is the third year in a row. If he doesn’t win it this year, those kids are going to get disheartened, I feel.

“I still feel that he’s got a really good ball team, but the pressure has to be on them. I hate to say it, but it’s his time.’’

That remains to be seen, but don’t be surprised if Lenox again is in the ballgame. The Tigers allowed just 91 yards in their semifinal win. They have won 23 straight games and are 65-6 since the start of the 2004 season. It’s their third finals appearance in five years.

One of the keys will be if Lenox can contain all-everything running back Tyler Tonderum. In the semifinals, Tonderum carried 13 times for 219 yards and five touchdowns. He scored three of the first four times he touched the ball, on runs of 57, 30 and 46 yards.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder — who says he has run a 4.42 40-yard dash — has 2,173 rushing yards and 53 rushing touchdowns this season. Tonderum’s 58 total touchdowns this year and 350 points are Iowa single-season Eight-Man records. He has 6,248 career rushing yards, 140 touchdowns and 842 points, all Iowa Eight-Man records and ranking fourth, third and second, respectively, on the national eight-man lists.

“They’ll be up for him,’’ Dukes said of his defenders. “They know that Tyler Tonderum is a heck of a back. You can’t take that away from him. We just have to get our defense tuned in to what we think he’s going to do.’’

Eric Hensley, a 6-1, 200-pounder, paces the Lenox offense with 1,318 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. He’s also a standout linebacker.

“They’re going to want revenge, but I think we’ll be ready for them,’’ Hensley said. “We’ve just got to contain their running back and quarterback like we did last year.’’

Senior Connor Lange, a 6-4, 205-pound starting tight end, defensive end and kicker for Lenox, said the anticipation is building.

“I’m ready to play ’em,’’ he said. “It’s great, being able to defend our state championship.’’

The Iowa championship football schedule for today and Saturday, with selections by World-Herald prep rater Kevin White in bold type. All games at UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Semifinal round, 8-4 (.667), season 374-87 (.811).

Friday

Eight-Man

Armstrong-Ringsted vs. Lenox

Class A

Southern Cal vs. Mason City Newman

Class 4-A

Iowa City High vs. Marshalltown

SATURDAY

Class 1-A

South Winneshiek vs. CB St. Albert

Class 2-A

Solon vs. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley

Class 3-A

Pella vs. Harlan

Contact the writer:

444-1055, kevin.white@owh.com

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