For Edwardsburg there is no place like home to start the 2016 postseason.

The Eddies are back in the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season.

Edwardsburg (9-0) reached the semifinals in 2010 and 2014.

The Eddies, champions of the Wolverine Conference, faced Hamilton in 2012 with the Hawkeyes winning 42-14.

Hamilton is 6-3 this year after winning its first five games, losing three straight and then beating Sparta 29-14 to earn an automatic qualifying berth.

In the other half of the bracket, St. Joseph and Lakeshore will square off Friday night. Both teams are 6-3.

“It is a tough district,” Edwardsburg coach Kevin Bartz said. “We were looking at three options. We thought it could be St. Joseph or Hamilton and if they sent us out East it would be Vicksburg. Hamilton was the one we thought was most likely.”

The Eddies have crushed all nine of their opponents this season with the closest games being a 27-point margins (Paw Paw 30-3) and Dowagiac (40-13). Edwardsburg has posted four consecutive shutouts and five overall.

The Eddies have outscored their opponents 391-30.

But Bartz knows that none of those numbers mean much now that the postseason is under way.

“That was kind of just getting you ready for the playoffs,” he said. “We already met with the kids and sat down and had a meal with them and their parents and watched the pairings. They know it is time to get on to the next level.”

Hamilton had three consecutive losing seasons after beating the Eddies in 2012.

They lost their coach after that season, but Chris Myers has returned and the Hawkeyes are back in the postseason.

Hamilton has defeated Middleville, Coopersville, Zeeland East, Holland Christian and Holland to go along with their season-ending victory over Sparta.

The Hawkeyes three losses came at the hands of Bryon Center, Zeeland West and Hudsonville Unity Christian.

All three of those teams are in the playoffs.

Hamilton is led by its dual-threat quarterbacks. Grant Kelley combined for 216 yards against Sparta, while Keaton Mudd had 163 yards from scrimmage.

Hawkeyes running back Trenton Lane rushed for 192 yards on 13 carries and scored a touchdown.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Leo Hoffman Field. Tickets are $5 per person and will be available at the gate. No passes are accepted for this MHSAA event.