COOS BAY — One team has won 10 state championships; the other has tied for one and lost another.

Needless to say, Gold Beach coach Kevin Swift couldn’t help but note the difference in program prestige between his nouveau-riche Panthers and the mighty Vale Vikings — the veritable New York Yankees of Oregon prep football.

“We’re honored just to be on the same field as them,” Swift said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “I was hired by Jay Johnson, who was a legendary player at Vale, and we have several Vale alums in this community, so we have a great deal of respect and admiration for them.

“Tradition does a lot for you. Those that want to minimize tradition are the ones that have never played with it. I think teams like Vale, understandably, get a lot more respect than teams like us.”

The Panthers are one win from changing that.

History aside, Gold Beach (13-0) will visit Hillsboro Stadium on Saturday as the top-ranked team in state while vying for the program’s first outright title against the No. 5-ranked Vikings (10-2). They kick off in the OSAA Class 3A championship game at 5:30 p.m.

“The kids couldn’t be more excited for this,” Swift said. “I’m impressed with how well they’ve prepared for it. They’re not nervous at all. They know what’s at stake and they’re just having fun — they’re out to make history.”

The Vikings, meanwhile, are trying to add to history — the history of a program that’s hung championship banners in four of the past five decades.

“There’s never any houses up for sale here,” joked coach Jeff Jacobs, who was an assistant for Vale’s last title in 1993. “In my 19 years, this might be the most cohesive unit I’ve seen. They’re going to get their biggest test this week.”

Like the Vikings, the Sunset Conference champion Panthers have literally sprinted through the postseason, winning their first three games by an average of 24 points. During that stretch, Gold Beach’s top-ranked offense dominated to the tune of 300-plus yards per game.

That could easily change, however, against the state’s No. 1 scoring defense.

“They make other teams make mistakes, and you cannot do that against them and expect to win,” Swift said. “They’re fast — they fly to the ball, especially their defensive linemen.”

The Eastern Oregon League champion Vikings are blessed with a senior-heavy defense, led by defensive back Cam Anthony and linebacker Gabe Moreno. Both had interceptions during last week’s 37-6 win over Clatskanie in the semifinals.

Scoring has been tough to do against Vale, which allowed 7.3 points per game this year, but moving the ball is Gold Beach’s chief concern.

“They probably have the toughest defense we’re going to face,” Gold Beach senior tailback Herbie Smith said. “We’re going to have to play our best game to beat them.”

Stopping Vale’s offense is an equally pressing issue.

The Vikings out-gained Clatskanie 374-178 and got two rushing touchdowns from second-year starting quarterback Tyler Pirrie, who’s been a key element in Vale’s 10-game winning streak following an 0-2 start.

The Vikings lost to Weiser — of Idaho — and Ontario — the second-ranked team in Class 4A — but finished the regular season undefeated against Class 3A opponents.

“(Pirrie) has had a great season — I’m really impressed with what he’s done for us,” Jacobs said. “He’s really mastered the offense in his second year starting for us.

“We’re going to need a big game from him against their defense.”

Vale also starts two talented backs in Jeff Williams and Luke Skerjanec — a capable duo that combined for two touchdowns and 151 yards rushing a week ago.

“They have lots of talent,” said Gold Beach linebacker Mitch McDonald. “They run the option very well.”

Gold Beach’s defense shut the door on Rainier last week, helping the Panthers pull away to a 39-18 victory. Gold Beach came up with six takeaways, including a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown by McDonald in the fourth quarter.

“They’re solid up front and their linebackers are as good as we’ve seen,” Jacobs said. “There’s no shortage of speed in their secondary either.”

Both coaches preached discipline to their defenses, which will both face multiple-set option attacks.

“Everyone needs to stick with their assignments,” Jacobs said before touching on Gold Beach’s biggest weapons, quarterback Jeffrey Knox and fullback Travis Moore. “They don’t have one guy you need to focus on — they have about eight. You have to stop their quarterback and fullback, though.”

Moore rushed for three touchdowns against Rainier, while Knox added a 10-yard score and 141 yards on the ground.

“Running against this team is going to be tough — probably the toughest it’s been for us,” Swift said. “But that’s what this game is all about. The two best teams giving it their best shot.”

Notes: Admission Saturday is $7 for adults and $5 for students, and also is good for the earlier Class 1A and Class 2A championship games. In addition, a $3 per car parking fee is in effect at Hillsboro Stadium.