No. 1 KILLINGLY (12-0) vs. No. 6 JOEL BARLOW (9-3)

WHEN/WHERE?: Monday, Veterans Stadium New Britain, 6:30 p.m.

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Barlow upset No. 3 Sheehan 47-34 before pounding No. 7 SMSA co-op 53-14 in the semifinals. Killingly defeated sixth-seeded East Hartford in the quarterfinal-round, 30-10, and knocked off No. 7 West Haven, in the semifinals, 27-13.

Championship history: Killingly has won two state championships (1981, 1996). Barlow is in its first final.

PLAYER TO WATCH, KILLINGLY: RB Spencer Lockwood: No secret here. The state’s leading rusher has tormented defenses for multiple seasons now. He’s rushed for 654 yards and 10 touchdowns in two state tournament wins for the Redmen.

PLAYER TO WATCH, BARLOW: RB/LB Alex Stillman: Both a key cog in the triple option and the leader of the defense, Stillman and the front seven will need to be at their absolute best to pull off an upset. Carried eight times for 115 yards and a touchdown in the semifinal win over SMSA co-op.

STORYLINES: Experience in big games is certainly on the side of Killingly, which has had its heart broken in the state semifinals the past two seasons — including once as a top seed in 2015. The Redmen hope the third time is the charm and the school can bring home a third state championship in school history. The teams have combined for close to 10,000 rushing yards in 24 games this season, a stellar mark for two oldschool approaches. Defenses could be on top in a game where both teams are so run-oriented. Possessions will be crucial as both teams figure to have less than 10 the entire 48 minutes if each team’s potent attack is humming.