The experience isn’t new for Interlake, but it sure feels different.

The Saints have made the 2A state tournament in each of the past three seasons, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Archbishop Murphy last year, but the mentality of the program has never been as galvanized as it is heading into Friday’s showdown with White River.

Coach Jason Rimkus said he spoke with one of his captains earlier in the week who candidly told him this time last year, despite heading into the playoffs, he was ready for the season to end.

“The energy level is just different,” Rimkus said of the 2011 version of the Saints. “I think their expectations are different as well.”

Nothing says that more than shirts coaches and players have been seen sporting throughout the season that have the iconic Tacoma Dome, the home of the state semi-finals and championship game, printed on the back.

“The teams that have success this time of year are mentally tough,” Rimkus said. “We fully believe the most mentally tough teams in November are the teams that make it do December.”

The Saints, which were defeated in crushing fashion last week in overtime by Juanita, will have to contend with a Hornets’ rushing attack led by Josh Miller, who has 16 touchdowns and 822 yards rushing this season and an offensive line Rimkus called simply, “big”.

“They have film of us against Liberty and Juanita and both of them hurt us with the Fly Sweep,” Rimkus said. “White River runs the Fly Sweep and I expect them to stick to their guns.”

A win will push the Saints into a matchup with either Franklin-Pierce or Port Angeles.