The California Pintos have shown all year long they have the ability to start fast.
Now they've added another valuable characteristic: They can finish strong, too.
In each the of past two weeks, a lead has dwindled down late in the game, only to see the Pintos rise to the occasion.
Last week's win against School of the Osage was particularly impressive, as the Pintos could have faded, but instead made key plays down the stretch.
"Give it to Osage, they played really well," California head coach Marty Albertson said. "They played hard all night and came after us. They made some plays, but our kids hung in there and it was probably good for our kids. It was good for them to get pushed a little bit and have to respond."
But you don't get to 8-0 on the season and earn a No. 2 ranking in the state in Class 3 by being a pushover.
"We got a couple guys hurt in the first half and it seemed like we had to put one on the defense," Albertson said.
The defense gave up its biggest point total of the season to the Indians, but the Pintos have still allowed just 74 points in eight games.
This week's test for the Pintos is a trip to Warsaw to play the Wildcats, who come into the game 2-6 overall and 1-5 in the Tri-County Conference.
"They've got (Bailey) Jelinek, a great receiver. You've got to be aware of him, wherever he's at on the field," Albertson said. "They've got a running back (Austin Steenburgen) who does a pretty good job. They are a team that if you go down there relaxed and not ready to play, they can give you some trouble."
In order to limit the impact of Jelinek, a returning all-stater, the Pintos will take a two-pronged approach. The first is making it hard for the quarterback to get him the ball.
"I'm sure that's what we're going to focus on this week, trying to get a pass rush," Albertson said. "Any time you have a quarterback that has pressure, he's usually not going to throw the ball near as well."
The second part of the plan involves a matchup between Jelinek and California free safety Landon Mouse, who racked up three interceptions in last week's game.
"I think we match up pretty well against (Jelinek)," Albertson said. "I think our secondary is probably one of our strengths of our team. I feel like we can handle that pretty well."
As is often the case, the Pintos got some good news last week to go with some bad.
On the positive side, linebacker Allan Burger returned quicker than expected from a gashed-open knee and played against Osage.
"He came in and played and did a real good job for us," Albertson said. "We were kind of scared because we didn't want him to break open those stitches. His leg felt fine and he was running and said it wasn't sore at all. So he ended up playing a little bit and did OK."
But the Pintos lost a different linebacker, Brandan Gump, to a bruised shoulder.
"We lost him early, and that hurt," Albertson said. "I don't see him playing for the next couple weeks. He bruised his shoulder and I think pinched a nerve, because he had a stinger. I'd say we're probably going to sit him out the next couple weeks and try to get him healthy.
"A.J. Kendrick will probably have to come in and play his spot, plus we have Allan back on the outside, so that's probably how we'll handle it."
The Pintos are 6-0 and can wrap up an undefeated conference season tonight.
"We don't want to share the title with anybody, we're a little bit selfish about that," Albertson said. "Hallsville and Osage are playing and if Hallsville wins they will end up with just one loss, so we definitely don't want to share that. We want to try to take care of business ourselves and win it outright.
"That's one of our major goals at the first of the year, so we want to get that done."
The Pintos also want to keep the train rolling heading into district play next week.
"After this your first season is over and you start your second season," Albertson said. "Then you're on the old win-or-go-home situation. It's pretty important to play your best."