BRODHEAD - Brodhead-Juda football coach Jim Matthys doesn't need to have his team analyze and study scouting reports for hours to understand the challenge that awaits when the Cardinals play at Walworth Big Foot in a WIAA Division 4 Level 2 playoff game Friday night.

Big Foot (9-0), ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press medium schools state poll, is a Rock Valley South rival of the Cardinals. The Chiefs have dominated the Cardinals as of late, winning seven of the last eight meetings. The lone matchup that swung in Brodhead-Juda's favor, though, was a playoff game.

In the last playoff appearance between the two teams in 2010, Brodhead-Juda knocked off Big Foot 32-14 on their way to finishing as the state runner-up. The Cardinals (6-3) have won six straight games and are looking to turn the tables on the Chiefs in the playoffs once again.

"It's one of those games where you can just throw the records out the window," Matthys said. "Win or lose, it's always a pretty good game. I think it's all about momentum, and we are capable."

If the Cardinals are going to upset the Chiefs, they'll have to stop Big Foot running back Mason Dixon and a powerful Chiefs offense that averages 49.9 points per game.

Dixon, a senior, has rushed for 1,402 yards and scored 29 touchdowns. He is averaging a staggering 155.8 yards per game and 13.5 yards a carry. Dixon, who also holds the school record in rushing yards (3,681) and touchdowns (58), had a field day the last time he played the Cardinals earlier this year. He rushed for 176 yards and scored four touchdowns as the Chiefs gashed the Cardinals for 337 total rushing yards. Dixon had touchdown runs of 60, 57 and 38 yards.

"We didn't tackle well the last time we played them," Matthys said. "They are obviously a very talented team. I think we are a different team than when we played them in week 2. It will be an interesting matchup."

With six underclassmen starters on defense, Matthys knew there would be a learning curve.

"It's one of those things we knew would take time," he said. "We had to slowly get better. We had some kids making the transition from JV to varsity and some making the transition from freshmen to varsity. (Big Foot) will make their share of big plays. They are the type of team that will make big plays. We just have to limit the big plays."

Loading up to stop the run could pose another set of challenges. Big Foot quarterback Carter Hehr is a dangerous dual-threat playmaker. Hehr has passed for 800 yards with 12 touchdowns and just one interception. He has also rushed for 547 yards and 12 touchdowns.

"We have to key on Dixon running the ball, but their quarterback (Hehr) adds another dimension to the game," Matthys said. "He's a pretty good runner and passer."

The Cardinals are no slouch on the offensive side either. After losing their first three games, the Brodhead-Juda offense got rolling and has been averaging 25.2 points per game this season.

Senior Hunter Colden has rushed for 524 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead the Cardinals. Colden stepped up after Cody Suiter went down with an injury in week 2 against Big Foot.

Sophomore Reeve Lincoln has also rushed for 411 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Senior quarterback Matt Trotter has passed for 474 yards and four touchdowns. Cole Bauman, who had a fumble return for a touchdown and two interceptions against Campbellsport last week, is the Cardinals' leading receiver with 21 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns.

Necedah (7-2) at Darlington (5-4)

Martens Field will be rocking Saturday as Darlington hosts Necedah in a WIAA Division 6 Level 2 playoff game. The Redbirds will play a mirror image of themselves on offense, as Necedah runs an identical wing-T offense.

The Redbirds are coming off a 21-20 upset of No. 1 seed Deerfield last Saturday. Even though the Redbirds are facing a familiar offensive style, Darlington coach Scott Zywicki doesn't think that gives his team an advantage.

"Both teams see it in practice from their own team week in and out," he said. "It's still a matter of execution."

Necedah's offense is led by senior running back Kris Manning, who has rushed for 1,945 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. Manning, who is the state's second-leading rusher, is averaging 243 yards per game and an eye-popping 13.9 yards per carry.

"He's extremely quick and very fast," Zywicki said. "I think he is even more explosive than the two backs from Deerfield. They use his speed similar to what Lancaster does with their backs. They are going to feed him the ball with pitches and sweeps so he can get the ball on the edge."

Darlington has a backfield full of sophomores with quarterback Cole McDonald, running back Jason Singer and fullback Myles Leahy. McDonald has passed for 664 yards and four touchdowns. Leahy has rushed for 547 yards and seven touchdowns.

"They can't play like sophomores," Zywicki said. "They have to play like juniors and seniors. They have got progressively more confident in their skills and what people are doing in front of them. When you play with confidence, you can play at a higher level and let your skills take over."

Zywicki said the keys to the game will be winning the turnover battle like they did against Deerfield and controlling the line of scrimmage.

Plus it sure won't hurt having a homefield advantage.

"It's nice for the school and community to get a playoff game at home," Zywicki said.