John Smith is no stranger to the Fairfield area of northern Montana.

"I've been up there many times on hunting trips … I know the wind really blows up there," said the 20th-year Columbus football coach.

This afternoon, Smith will be hunting for a victory as his Cougars (8-1) face unbeaten Fairfield (9-0) in a Class B quarterfinal playoff football game.

In today's other Class B quarterfinals, defending state champion Huntley Project (9-0) hosts Baker (8-1), Glasgow (7-2) hosts Florence (8-2) and Townsend (8-1) is at Missoula Loyola (8-1).

While Columbus and Fairfield have both been frequent visitors to the playoffs, today's game will mark the Cougars' first visit to Fairfield. The two met in a quarterfinal game in Columbus in 2002, which the Cougars won on their way to a runner-up finish.

Fairfield has played for the Class B championship in three of the past four years, losing in the title game to Cut Bank in 2005, Baker in 2007 and Huntley Project last year.

"They've got a lot of playoff experience and big-game experience," said Smith, who guided Columbus to the 1992 State B title. "Coach (Les) Meyer does a great job. Fairfield is always well-prepared and you always know you're going to have your hands full when you play them."

Columbus has been a handful for its opponents all season. Senior quarterback Sam Faust spearheads a balanced run-pass offense that is averaging 36.4 points per game.

Faust has completed 57 of 96 pass attempts (59 percent) for 973 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. The 6-foot, 190-pounder has also rushed for 487 yards and nine touchdowns while directing "The Spin," the Cougars' offense which is a variation of the Wing-T run from shotgun formation.

Senior tailback Jayson Robbins is the centerpiece of Columbus' ground game, rushing for 1,035 yards and 21 touchdowns. He ran for 109 yards and a touchdown in last week's 12-7 first-round win over Malta.

Robbins (10.0), Faust (10.4), Taylor Bolzer (9.0) and Nick Beer (9.0) are all averaging better than nine yards per carry behind the Cougars' senior-laden offensive line.

"The play and the leadership of our 15 seniors has been the biggest key for us this year," said Smith. "They're just a real tight group, and they've been that way since kindergarten.

"They definitely play for each other … there are no individuals in this bunch."

The Columbus defense, which is allowing just 11.3 points per game this season, will be focused on Fairfield quarterback Matt Patterson, a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard passer this season.

"He's got great speed and field awareness," Smith said of Patterson. "They've got some outstanding running backs and receivers, too, but Patterson is the guy that makes him go. We have to contain him and try to force him into making some bad decisions, which is something that nobody else has been able to do this season."

Smith said the play of Faust, Robbins, Nate DeBruycker and Pat Blenkner in the secondary has been a key to the Cougars' defensive success.

"I couldn't ask for four better athletes in the secondary to try to negate a player like Patterson," he said. "I feel good about our chances of slowing down any passing game we face with those four kids back there.

"It's one of those games where the strengths of the two teams match up … we feel like we match up OK with them and I'm sure they feel they match up well with us. Both teams are experienced, athletic and strong.

"Our kids are really excited about this game. It's just going to come down to who plays good football and makes fewer mistakes."