PHOENIX — To say Phoenix eased into the Class 3A football state playoffs would be an understatement.

The Pirates’ undefeated run through the Skyline Conference earned them a bye in the first round last week.

Prior to that, a string of weaker foes allowed lots of Phoenix players to see action and reduced the risk of injury.

But the calm — the Pirates won by an average of 54.3 to 7.7 the last three games — is over.

Here comes the storm.

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Fifth-ranked Phoenix (8-1) is host to defending state champion and third-ranked Wilsonville (9-2) at 7 tonight at Jack Woodward Stadium.

The Wildcats, a semifinalist two years ago, finished second in the Tri-Valley League behind top-ranked Sherwood. In their meeting, Sherwood prevailed, 35-21. Wilsonville’s only other loss was in the season opener to Prosser, a Class 4A power in Washington, 62-35.

The Pirates are making their fourth postseason appearance in five years, boast a diverse and balanced offense and have a lineup saturated with veterans, setting this up as one of state’s finest matchups.

Phoenix couldn’t be more ready.

"We’re as healthy as we’ve been all year," says fifth-year coach Gordy Crowston. "We’re very excited about Friday night."

The bye brought with it mixed feelings. Phoenix was playing very well, and Crowston was sorry to have that disrupted. On the flip side, bodies got a chance to heal and minds an opportunity to reinvigorate.

"That’s the good part," says Crowston. "It gives us a chance to breathe. Now we hit the second season, and it gives us a chance to transition into that. With this one-and-done thing, if you’re not careful, it can get you."

Phoenix knows all too well. In its three previous playoffs under Crowston, it lost in the first round twice and the second round once. Each ouster was by a convincing margin, including 44-21 to Estacada in the 2004 opening round.

But 18 starters returned from that Pirate team, and they’re bigger and stronger.

"The big improvement we’ve made is that we’re a much more physical team than we’ve been in the past," says Crowston. "That’s the part of the game that got us beat last year and the year before. This year, we’re able to match the physical play."

It will come in handy against the versatile offense of Wilsonville, which returns the state player of the year in running back Cameron Smith and is led by quarterback Spencer Crace, who is head coach George Crace’s son.

"That gives them an advantage right there," says Crowston, referring to the savvy of a coach’s son.

Smith ran for 179 yards on 17 carries in the Wildcats’ 21-7 win over Elmira last week. Running mate Morrie Conway added 76 yards on 12 carries.

Smith is "extremely quick and shifty and can break the big one at any time," says Crowston.

He amassed 1,243 yards rushing and receiving and scored 20 touchdowns in the regular season.

Crace threw for 1,926 yards and 26 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. His ability to run and pass makes him the most dangerous quarterback the Pirates will have faced.

The Wildcats did suffer a big loss last week when Nick Grassi, its second-leading rusher and a returning first-team all-state linebacker, broke his arm.

An area in which Wilsonville isn’t as strong as last season, says Crowston, is along the line, where it lost some key players.

Phoenix counters with an explosive offense of its own and a defense that has allowed only nine touchdowns.

Three-year starting quarterback Matt Hagert has completed 79 of 146 passes for 1,330 yards and 12 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

Ben Foster leads three running backs who have gained 400 yards or more. He has 855 yards, a per-carry average of 6.6 and 11 touchdowns. Tyler Hammon has 629 yards and nine scores and Kyle Giron 400 yards.

The Pirates average 257 rushing yards per game and 6.5 yards per attempt.

When necessary, they turn to a wealth of receivers, led by Joey Shepherd (28 catches, 582 yards, five touchdowns) and Marty Joseph (24, 431, seven).

One of the keys, says Crowston, will be how well the Pirate inside receivers in the spread formation block Wilsonville’s outside linebackers, thereby setting up the off-tackle and perimeter ground game.

An effective running game and success on high-percentage passes will provide opportunities for big plays, says Crowston, "and we have kids who can make those."

Which just might help the Pirates ease into the second round.

Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail ttrower@mailtribune.com.