FAIRMONT — Saturday’s 3 p.m. Section 3AAA football semifinal clash of the Cardinals at Mahoney Field in Fairmont will feature two distinct brands of offensive firepower.

Luverne head coach Todd Oye’s No. 4-seeded Cardinals (5-4) will pit their ‘old school’ ground game against ‘Air Kallenbach’ and Fairmont mentor Mat Mahoney’s top-seeded and Class AAA No. 4-ranked Cardinals (7-1).

“Our approach is a traditional one — we run the ball and if it doesn’t work, then we pass the ball. Sometimes when you pass, bad things can happen,” Oye said half-jokingly. “Ironically, we might be more similar to (former Fairmont coaching legend) Tom Mahoney’s game plan than his grandson’s offensive philosophy.”

While Fairmont senior quarterback Nate Kallenbach has utilized nine different receivers in amassing 1,779 passing yards and 19 touchdowns this fall, junior signal-caller Ben Serie puts Luverne’s run-oriented powerhouse backfield in motion to move the first-down markers.

Serie scored on runs of 5 and 1 yard, respectively, while senior fullback Declan Beers added a 1-yard TD plunge to steer Luverne to a 21-8 sectional quarterfinal win over No. 5-seeded Worthington on Tuesday night in Luverne.

“Beers is a physical fullback who runs hard each and every handoff and is difficult to bring down,” said Mahoney. “Serie runs well, and possesses a strong arm and can chuck it down the field.”

In fact, Serie likely was pleased with the return of senior wide receiver Tucker Oeltjenbruns, who made three receptions at Worthington’s expense in his return to the prep gridiron on Tuesday night.

“It was Tucker’s first game back after getting injured a couple of weeks ago,” said Oye. “He made three catches, but two were huge third-down conversions for us.”

Serie completed 7 of 11 passes for 129 yards, including a clutch 74-yarder to junior tight end Charles Reisch to march Luverne out of the shadow of its own goal line in the second half, while Beers pounded out 100 yards on 24 totes. Add senior tailback Kasyn Kruse to the mix, and Luverne’s option offense can prove a handful to stop.

“Offensively, Luverne has a nice-sized line that averages 249 pounds per blocker,” said Mahoney. “They’ve got some big bodies in the trenches that can wear you down over the course of a game.”

Fairmont, however, should be well-rested after getting a 10-day layoff between games thanks to a first-round bye for earning the section’s No. 1 seed.

“I think it was good to let our guys catch their breath, take a couple days off last week and get back to business (Monday),” said Mahoney. “I think the time off rejuvenated them as they have a little more pep in their step at practice.”

Kallenbach will look to connect with leading receiver Wyatt Quiring and No. 2 pass catcher Sam Schwieger when Fairmont locks up with Luverne on Saturday afternoon. The 6-foot-3 Quiring enters the semifinal with team-leading totals of 52 receptions for 779 yards and nine TDs, while the 6-3 Schwieger is next on the charts with 21 catches for 351 yards and four more scores.

“Offensively, Fairmont likes to spread the field so that your defense cannot concentrate on one aspect of their overall scheme,” said Oye. “They’ve got a three-year starter at quarterback (Kallenbach) who can make plays with either his arm or his feet.”

Kallenbach threw for two TDs and ran for another six points during Fairmont’s 42-7 regular-season finale over New Ulm on Oct. 18, while running back Jordan Wolter contributed two TDs to the winning effort.

“You also have to be aware of Collin Steuber, who’s an offensive guard that’s athletic. Fairmont moves him around and makes him eligible (to receive the football), so that’s a different twist that you have to defend, too,” said Oye.

Steuber, the sure-handed linebacker, however, will literally have a large task in front of him in facing Luverne’s front five on offense.

“We’ve got good size, but we’re young up there (in the line) with two seniors, one junior, one sophomore and a freshman starting,” said Oye. “We’re still learning our blocking schemes, but it’s starting to come together.”

In fact, after opening the regular season with four straight losses, Luverne has reeled off five consecutive wins to reach the sectional semifinals on Saturday.

“After winning their last five, Luverne is playing with a lot of confidence now,” said Mahoney. “It looks like they have accepted their roles and responsibilities, and are clicking on all cylinders.

“They’re well-coached and will line up in 10 to 15 different formations to keep you guessing. We’ll just have to make the right adjustments as we go.”

Fairmont defeated Luverne, 20-6, during last year’s sectional quarterfinal clash.

Luverne, however, edged Fairmont by a 21-20 decision during the two Cardinals’ previous postseason meeting in the 2004 Section 3AAA semifinals.