Dorian Bell, above, has taken a toll on virtually all of Gateway's opponents this football season. Twenty miles to the southwest, Bethel Park and running back Lyle Marsh have swamped the opposition.

At about 7:30 Saturday evening, those two teams will converge in a Heinz Field matchup that fans should relish. Both have 12-0 records heading into the WPIAL Class AAAA championship game.

Pride will be part of the equation -- but not just for these juggernauts. The self-esteem of Greg Erosenko and Cliff Morton will be at stake as well.

Mr. Erosenko is the mayor of Monroeville, home of Gateway High School. Mr. Morton is his counterpart in Bethel Park. Via the telephone this week, they have fashioned the proverbial friendly wager.

The mayor representing the losing community will have to wear a shirt from the other school all day Monday. Then, on a day and at a restaurant to be determined, he will pay for the winner's lunch.

"We wanted to make this fun," said Mr. Erosenko, who is in his first year as mayor.

"This is about good sportsmanship and camaraderie between two schools," said Mr. Morton, a mayor for 11 years.

The two will attempt to meet -- for the first time -- in the stands Saturday at Heinz Field, in a constantly shifting sea of humanity. There is no reserved seating for the four championship games, and fans come and go as one contest ends and pregame for the next one unfolds.

Each will bring "his" school's shirt.

"It's going to be an excellent game," the Monroeville mayor said. "I still think we have the edge. Cliff wants me to give him three touchdowns."

Mr. Morton insists the title game will be closer than that, but he's is uneasy. Gateway is ranked No. 1 in the state.

"I'd like to say that I'm confident, but I have an idea we are going to have our hands full. We played a good game against McKeesport [in the semifinals Friday], but I think McKeesport imploded a little.

"This one should be interesting."

Gateway has a championship pedigree, winning or sharing five WPIAL crowns. But the Gators haven't won one since 1986 and have dropped their past two title-game appearances, to Central Catholic last year and in 2004.

Bethel Park has never won a WPIAL championship and last appeared in a title game in 1980. The Black Hawks' quarterback then was Shawn Morton -- the mayor's son and now an Upper St. Clair assistant coach.

Thanksgiving is a day for turkey, be it your holiday feast or watching the Detroit Lions on TV. It's not a day for reading. That's why the PG East will be published a day early next week -- Wednesday.