For the first time since 1954, Buchanan and Hillsdale will meet on the gridiron.

The Bucks will host Hillsdale in the opening round of the Division 5 football playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday night. Gates will open at 6:15 p.m.

When the two teams met in 1954, Buchanan scored a 40-0 victory.

A lot has changed since those days, but one thing is still the same, if the Bucks want to remain undefeated, they are going to have to play some of their best football of the season.

Hillsdale (6-3) is led by running back Donovan Jones and quarterback Martin Petersen, who is a dual-threat player.

Those two have helped the Hornets reach the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season.

Buchanan (9-0) is in the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

Of Hilldale’s three losses, two of them came against No. 2-ranked Portland (37-14) and No. 7-ranked Ida (20-17). The Hornets’ other loss was a 26-22 loss to Brooklyn Columbia Central, which is also in the playoffs.

Both teams come into the playoffs off of big wins.

Hillsdale blanked Hudson 35-0, while Buchanan blew out arch rival Brandywine 63-30.

 

Lakeshore at Edwardsburg

Lakeshore and Edwardsburg used to face each other on a regular basis as members of the former Lakeland Conference.

But the Lancers and Eddies have not squared off since 1998 when Lakeshore defeated Edwardsburg 49-14. That victory was the 11th straight for the Lancers over the Eddies.

You have to go back to 1974 for the last Edwardsburg victory over Lakeshore, 21-14.

The Lancers are in the postseason for the 18th consecutive season.

Edwardsburg is coming off a trip to the Division 4 state semifinals in 2014.

The Eddies and Lakeshore are in Division 3 this season.

While undefeated Edwardsburg cruised into the playoffs with a 52-20 win over Sturgis, Lakeshore needed to beat Niles in its regular season finale.

The Lancers (6-3) did just that by beating Niles 52-19.

 

Hartford at Cassopolis

Cassopolis secured a home playoff game, which came in handy since several players are currently in Louisville, Kentucky at the National FFA Convention.

After finishing competition Friday afternoon, the players will return to Cassopolis for the Saturday afternoon game against Hartford (5-4).

The Division 7 game will start at 1 p.m. at William F. Scott Field in Cassopolis.

The Rangers (7-2) will need all hands on deck to help slow down dual-threat quarterback Lincoln Gendron, who threw for more than 1,300 yards and passed for nearly 900 yards with 21 total touchdowns.

Cassopolis can also run and throw the football, but it will be a total team effort instead of the play of one player.

A.J. Green and Marquise Curtis will handle a bulk of the running game as the two have combined for more than 1,200 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns.

Curtis missed parts of several games due to injuries.

Cassopolis can also throw the football with Shane Los, who began the year splitting time with Bryce Saxton under center.

The Rangers went to a one-quarterback system and moved Saxton to a receiver.