By Frank Rajkowski, SJU Writer/Video Producer

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Saturday afternoon's NCAA Division III semifinal at Wisconsin-Whitewater will mark the third-straight road playoff game for the Johnnies, who have spent the past two Saturdays in Southern California (beating Chapman 55-26 in the second round) and Illinois (defeating Wheaton 34-33 in the quarterfinals).

And while all that traveling might sound wearying, senior running back Kai Barber (Minneapolis, Minn./Totino-Grace) said it's not a situation his team minds one bit.

In fact, the Johnnies are relishing their role as road warriors.

"It's actually a lot of fun," said Barber, whose team (12-1) meets the Warhawks (12-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Whitewater's Perkins Stadium with a berth in next Friday's national championship game on the line.

"You're with your friends. It just builds even more team chemistry. We like going on the road."

And Friday, the road took the Johnnies to Bigfoot High School in Walworth, Wisconsin – a town of just over 2,800 located around 30 miles from Whitewater.

There, under sunny late-afternoon skies with a temperature that hovered close to 40 degrees, the team practiced at the school's stadium, which features a brand-new artificial turf playing surface (a nearby practice field had turf installed this fall as well).

"This is a great facility," marveled SJU head coach Gary Fasching. "I talked to a couple of ADs in this area and they all recommended this place. It's as nice a high school facility as I've ever seen for a town this size."

The Johnnies then proceeded for a brief walk-through at Perkins Stadium itself before heading back to their hotel (left).

"We have a lot of fun on these trips," senior offensive lineman Ben Bartch (Dayton, Ore./Blanchet Catholic) said. "It's kind of like being at a two-night slumber party with all your best friends."

"A lot of teams never have the chance to do things like this," added fellow lineman Dan Greenheck (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall). "We're just glad we have this opportunity."

And the Johnnies are hoping to earn one more road trip – that to Shenandoah, Texas for next week's national title game. 

But they know they have a big challenge awaiting them Saturday first.

"We've talked for a long time about being national champions," Bartch said. "It's the goal we've all been working toward. Now we have the chance to make it happen. But it's not going to be easy.

"We know how strong a program Whitewater has. And that's where all our focus is right now."