OTTUMWA — Runnin’ downhill, on the loose, with chunks of yards flying up underneath his cleats.

That’s Tanner Susin’s sturdy style.

Wide-open spaces – that’s the kind of room the Clear Creek-Amana Clippers’ passing game loves to navigate in.

Two teams, two different philosophies — and one heck of a rematch.

Susin and the Centerville Big Red football team is on the cusp of history and in the process — rewriting the record books.

The Big Reds and head coach Jim Knott will hook up with CC-A in Appanoose County tonight and have a chance to climb one step closer to statewide superiority.

The first round playoff game has all sorts of storylines and statistical successes. The hyped contest features the ultimate in contrasting styles and is a rematch from last year’s substate game, a contest Centerville won, 30-16.

Centerville (10-0) features Susin, the six-foot, 220-pound load of a back. The senior is the school-record holder for single-season rushing yards (1,678 yards) and touchdowns (31). He also holds the school’s best marks for career yards (3,158) and TDs (54).

Susin – a big, strong, bowling ball of a back – is more than just a bruiser.

“People say he’s not a burner, but I’ve never seen him get caught from behind,” said Knott.

Susin scored three times and rushed for 150 yards on just 14 carries in Centerville’s 40-8 substate victory last week over Washington. Yards after contact are one of Susin’s strengths.

“He’s a special back, you don’t have to watch much football to know that,” said Knott.

The Clippers lead the state in passing (3,199 yards) and will rely on dual-threat quarterback Blaze Smith to get the ball to Ted Hergert. Hergert leads the state in receiving with 1,450 yards. His stat line reads 68 catches, 16 TDs and a 21.3 yard-per-catch average.

Smith, a senior, missed three games because of an ankle injury but has returned to his stellar form. He threw for 424 yards in CCA’s 38-3 beatdown of Carlisle to advance to this round. Smith has thrown for 2,011 yards with 13 TDs and nine picks.

Smith holds the state record for completions in a contest. That number is 43, an eye-popping stat that Smith did against Vinton-Shellsburg earlier this season. He’s also the team’s leading rusher (325 yards) and has found the end zone 11 times.