It's not how you start, it's how you finish.

That's the phrase Marshall's coaches have been drilling into their players' heads this week. And the Mavericks (6-3, 4-1) will get a chance to do that tonight.

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Coming off a playoff-sealing win over Sulphur Springs last week that secured second place in District 13-4A and rendered tonight's game against Mount Pleasant meaningless as far as Marshall's playoff seeding is concerned, it's still a game that Marshall head coach Thedrick Harris is not taking lightly.

"To me this is one of the biggest games of the year," Harris said. "It's the last regular season game. It's Senior Night, and this is a big senior-laiden team. It's the last time these seniors will get a chance to play at Maverick Stadium, most likely, no matter how far we go in the playoffs or anything like that."

It's also a chance for Harris and his staff to see how their team will respond in a game sandwiched between a big win and the playoffs.

"The mark of a good team is how they finish," Harris said. "That's something we really have to stress to our kids. Everybody wants to look forward to the playoffs, but we can't afford to do it. We have to concentrate on Mount Pleasant. We have to keep your focus and keep emphasizing the things that have gotten us to where we are right now."

Although Mount Pleasant (3-6, 1-4) does not bring a gaudy record or post season hopes into tonight, Harris still sees a formidable opponent.

"It's not because of a lack of talent," he said. "They've just had some tough breaks. They've played hard in every game and they've done some good things on offense and defense."

The Tigers will bring a Wishbone-style offense with them, including plays run out of the inside and outside veer and toss. It's an offense the Mavs have yet to see this year.

"That's a little bit of a problem because you haven't seen it," Harris said. "Every team that we've seen on film, at some point in the game, has had problems stopping (Mount Pleasant). They are going to try to grind the clock, use ball control, and keep our offense off the field. So we have to be prepared for that."

Mount Pleasant would do itself good by keeping Marshall's offense, which has been rolling as of late, off the field.

For two consecutive weeks, the Mavericks have had two 100-plus yard rushers, while their passing game has been deftly used and efficient when applied.

"The passing game has led to some big plays the last few weeks even though we're not throwing much," Harris said. "And in the running game, we're going to continue to give the ball to different people, move the ball around, and keep people off balance. I think the kids have gotten used to that."

The coach also said he would like to give his starters some rest, but all of that will hinge on what happens in the game.

"We want to go out and let a lot of kids play," he said. "Mount Pleasant is a very talented team. We don't want to go out and relax, and then, all of a sudden, you're in a battle for four quarters. What we have to do is practice for a game and then play and let the game determine how much rest the starters get."

Like the coaches have been telling their players, it will come down to finishing.

"Any time, in any sport, you fight against a letdown," Harris said. "Our kids are finishing well and we want to finish the regular season on a big note."