Common belief says that it is difficult to beat a good team twice in one season.

Union/A-C Valley's football team is taking it to heart and preparing for a stiff test Friday when the Falcon Knights meet Redbank Valley in a District 9 Class A semifinal playoff at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium.

The two Small School-South Division foes faced off Oct. 18 and Union/ACV handled the host Bulldogs 28-7.

“We're not resting on our laurels from the first game,” said Falcon Knights' coach Brad Dittman. “This is a whole different world. It's the playoffs and it's win or go home.”

First-year Redbank coach Blane Gold is hoping his players remember well the loss to Union/ACV.

“We had a chance to wrap up the conference title (outright),” he said. “Instead, we were served a piece of humble pie. As coaches, we are doing our best to come up with a game plan that can be successful.”

Union/ACV (7-3 overall), Redbank (8-2) and Keystone finished in a three-way tie for the division title with 3-1 records. The Falcon Knights and Bulldogs both received a bye into the semifinals.

“With the week off, we worked a lot on fundamentals and watched a lot of film,” said Dittman. “It's a fine line because we've been dressing only 18 or 19 kids on Friday nights and we were able to rest some bodies.”

While Redbank has a healthier roster in terms of numbers, the Bulldogs will be without one of their best players in sophomore quarterback Gunner Mangiantini, who is done for the season after sustaining an injury in a 56-0 loss at Coudersport Oct. 12.

Prior to his injury, Mangiantini amassed 754 passing yards, 388 rushing yards and accounted for 12 total touchdowns.

Freshman Cam Wagner is now calling the signals for Redbank and has thrown for 336 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

“He's a good athlete and they were still running their spread offense with him in there,” Dittman said of Wagner.

“Gunner was a threat to take off and run at any time,” said Gold. “Cam doesn't have that, but he's shown the ability to make plays in the passing game.”

Redbank is averaging 222 yards rushing per game. Sophomore Ray Shreckengost leads the way with 625 yards and nine scores. Junior Kobe Bonanno has added 423 yards and eight touchdowns.

But against the Falcon Knights, the Bulldogs' ground attack managed just 65 yards on 34 carries.

“That was disappointing,” said Gold. “We've remained healthy with our offensive line and running backs all year and had been running the ball with ease. If our players aren't hungry after that first game, I don't think it will ever happen.”

Cousins Ethan Hetrick and Sam Hetrick have formed a solid receiving duo for the Bulldogs, combining for 44 receptions worth 720 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The offense for Union/ACV is led by senior quarterback Luke Bowser, who has passed for 1,213 yards (15 TDs, 16 INTs) and has also rushed for seven scores.

Kylar Culbertson has sparked the running game with 467 yards. He averaged 86 yards per game during a five-game stretch ending in mid-October.

“Redbank's front seven is stacked and we have to take advantage of what they give us,” said Dittman.

But Gold's main concern regarding Union/ACV's offense lies with its receivers, in particular Caden Rainey and Tanner Merwin, who have combined for 62 catches, 919 yards and 10 scores.

“They make plays, whether it's with the deep ball, intermediate routes or the quick stuff with slants,” said Gold. “We have to stop them.”

Redbank closed the regular season with a 54-14 victory over Punxsutawney Oct. 25.

The Falcon Knights finished with a 50-12 defeat to Class 2A power Ridgway.

“We didn't tackle well in that game,” said Dittman, “but overall, I think we've been pretty tough on defense this year with 18 turnovers and we've even scored a few touchdowns.”

Senior linebacker Colton Hoffman leads Union/ACV with 71 tackles. Merwin, a safety, has intercepted five passes.

Smethport and top-seeded Coudersport will square off in the other semifinal Friday in Bradford.