After shredding three straight man-to-man defenses, it’s time for Mount Vernon to get honed in on the zone.

The Mustangs take aim at No. 1 Cascade in a Class 2A regional final Monday. Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

“We’re playing extremely well right now,” said Mount Vernon Coach Bob Kintzel. “The kids seem to be on a mission.”

Postseason scores would indicate that. Mount Vernon (21-3) destroyed its first three regional opponents — Iowa Valley, BGM and Sigourney — by 34, 47 and 34.

Obviously, it gets more challenging tonight against the Cougars (23-1), who have held 15 opponents under 30 points this season.

Cascade held Monticello to five field goals in a 35-20 regional-semifinal win Friday.

“We just really focus on trying to hold the other team down,” said Cascade’s Holly Hosch.

Tempo probably will determine the victor.

“We’ve been able to pick up the pace,” Kintzel said. “(Cascade likes) a more controlled game; they’re pretty methodical.”

Cascade advanced to the state finals last year and takes a 23-game win streak into tonight’s game.

It’s not as if the Mustangs are new to this drill, though. Several of players won a state championship in track in May, in volleyball in November, or both.

“They’re big, they’re battle-tested and they’re good,” said Cascade Coach Mike Sconsa. “We’re going to have our hands full.”

In the other 2A game involving area teams, No. 8 MFL MarMac (20-3) faces Jesup (18-5) at Oelwein.

No. 9 Valley Community (22-2) takes on No. 3 North Butler (21-1) in a 1A contest at Cedar Falls.

Tonight’s winners advance to next week’s state tournament in Des Moines.

Regional finals in 3A and 4A are Tuesday.