Every team involved in the District 9 Class A football playoffs could be considered a heavy hitter.

Need proof?

Union/A-C Valley is 5-1, with its only loss coming by three points to an undefeated Redbank Valley squad, and the Falcon Knights are seeded fourth out of four teams.

Top-seeded Smethport (5-0) awaits Union/A-C Valley for a semifinal showdown Friday at the Hubbers' field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Falcon Knights have been dressing no more than 21 players, a low amount even for a Class A team.

“I'm really proud of these kids. They've worked their butts off in a crazy year,” said Union/A-C Valley coach Brad Dittman. “We're one play away from being undefeated. With our low numbers, I couldn't ask for more.”

While the Falcon Knights tagged Brockway with a 40-7 loss last week, Smethport dealt Coudersport its first loss of the season, 14-0.

“We had leadership coming back this season with 10 seniors,” said fourth-year Smethport coach Adam Jack, “but you never know how a team is going to jell once the season gets going. I think we've done really well in that respect.”

The Hubbers feature a ground game that has overwhelmed opponents, averaging 293 yards per contest out of a power-spread formation.

Junior quarterback Noah Lent leads the attack with 677 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground this season. Senior running back Braedon Johnson has 596 yards and five scores.

Johnson stands just 5-foot-5 and weighs 135 pounds.

“Braedon is a state qualifier in wrestling and shows a lot of leadership on the field,” said Jack. “He's a great kid on the field and in the classroom.”

“They're big and physical up front, but also have some really good athletes,” Dittman said of the Hubbers. “Aside from a few plays this year, our defense has been strong.

“We can line up against anybody and make them one-dimensional, if not shut them down.”

When asked to throw the ball, Lent has been effective, passing for 416 yards with 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

“Noah is a two-year starter and has grown a lot in his ability to understand what we're trying to do offensively,” Jack said.

Against the run or pass, the play of Union/A-C Valley's defensive line will be integral to the outcome of the game. The group includes Mike Card, Ethan McFadden and Colton Murray.

The Falcon Knights' offense gives the Hubbers a number of players to worry about.

Quarterback Tanner Merwin has thrown for 579 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 216 yards and four scores.

Senior Kylar Culbertson (273 yards) leads a trio of players with over 200 yards rushing. Eli Penny has added 253 for the Falcon Knights, who are averaging 183 rushing yards per contest.

Wideout Caden Rainey paces the team with 22 catches for 282 yards.

But like just about every player on the team's roster, Rainey's importance can't be measured on just one side of the ball. In last week's victory, the defensive back intercepted three passes and has scored touchdowns this season four different ways — rushing (2), receiving (2), interception return and on punt returns (2).

“We have guys who don't come off the field,” said Dittman. “They've shown a lot of mental toughness.”

Smethport will allow 500 fans at the game, releasing 250 tickets to Union/A-C Valley.

In the other semifinal, Redbank Valley hosts Coudersport Saturday at 4 p.m.

The District 9 Class A championship will be decided Oct. 31 in Brockway.

<b>7 p.m., Friday</b>Mars defeated Greensburg Salem last week, 42-21, while Indiana fell to Hampton by a score of 42-14.Mars senior fullback Teddy Ruffner is coming off a 295-yard, 3-touchdown effort against Greensburg Salem. He has 4,227 rushing yards in his varsity career and is second all-time at Mars. Bill Bair, a 2008 Mars grad, is the school's all-time rushing leader with 4,702 yards.Indiana is a run-heavy team, even more so than Mars. Junior QB Devin Flint has tallied all 144 of the team's passing yards this season. He has not thrown a TD pass and has been intercepted twice. Flint also leads the team in rushing with 794 yards and 12 TDs. RB Zach Herrington has added 654 yards and 4 TDs on the ground.

<b>7 p.m., Friday</b>The Knights are trying to avoid their first winless season since 1970. ... Knoch leads the series between the teams 26-25-1, including a 24-0 shutout of the Talbots last season.Hampton QB Matt DeMatteo has thrown for 411 yards and has tossed seven interceptions. He's booted three field goals as well. ... The Talbots' three-pronged running attack features Jacob Premick (307 yards, 4 TDs), Christian Liberto (217 yards) and Joe Liberto (213). ... WR Benny Haselrig has 17 catches for 307 yards.Knoch is coming off a 35-7 loss to unbeaten Plum. ... QB JJ Szebalskie has thrown for 341 yards and RB Gavin McGowan leads the Knights with 202 yards rushing. ... RB Keegan Fraser returned from injury to rush for 43 yards and score Knoch's lone touchdown last week.

<b>7 p.m., Friday</b>The Warriors won the first meeting between these two teams, 21-14 on Sept. 18.Moniteau's running game has been strong this season. Mason Mershimer has rushed for 644 yards on 106 carries with five TDs. JD Dessicino, who has been hampered by a balky ankle, has run for 257 yards and three scores.The passing game, though, has struggled for the Warriors. David Stamm has completed 14 of 32 for 163 yards. Brady Thompson has also completed 13 of 34 for 157 yards.Punxsutawney has struggled mightily in both facets of the offense, averaging a mere 3.4 yards per carry and throwing for just 439 yards.The Chucks have given up 49 points in each of their last three games.