It was Grove City’s first regular season loss since 2009 and it snapped a 26 game regular season winning streak.

Sept. 21 was not a good night for the Eagles in a 41-12 loss to Hickory.

And it left them hoping for a rematch.

Well, Grove City will get one when it clashes with the Hornets at 1 p.m. Saturday at Slippery Rock University in the District 9 Class AA semifinals.

“It’s one of those things,” said Eagles’ football coach Jeff Bell, “be careful what you wish for.

“The kids are excited,” Bell added. “They gave us our only loss. I think we’re a better football team now, but they’re a better football team now, too.”

Both teams were ravaged by injuries in that September match-up.

Grove City had 18 players not practice during the week leading up to the game and 14 not dress that Friday night against the Hornets. Hickory had seven underclassmen starting because of its own lengthy injury list.

That’s why both coaches agree not much can be gleaned from that first meeting.

“Personnel-wise, things are different,” Bell said. “We definitely had some health issues that week and so did they.”

“Both teams had some key guys out,” said Hickory coach Bill Brest. “We’re a lot healthier this time around and so are they.”

Both teams have played well as they got healthier and are both arguably playing their best football of the season.

Grove City (9-1) rolled over North East last week, 56-14. The Eagles scored on all eight offensive possessions.

Meanwhile, Hickory (9-1) trampled Northwestern 48-22.

Heading into that first-round playoff game, the Hornets had only given up 14 points since their victory over Grove City.

“They’re better defensively than they get credit for,” Bell said. “Their offense gets a lot of attention, but their defense is impressive also.”

Hickory’s offense raises eyebrows and overshadows the defense for good reason.

Senior running back DeShawn Coleman has rushed for 1,342 yards and 23 touchdowns this season for the Hornets. He’s averaging 11.8 yards per carry.

Coleman is also a standout defensive back and kick returner. He has added six return touchdowns this season.

He’s a huge threat every time he touches the football.

“They have an athlete who you don’t see very often,” Bell said. “Maybe in the WPIAL you see a kid like him every now and then, but he’s special. I could show you a couple of highlights of him that will make you shake your head.”

Junior quarterback Matt Voytik also had been efficient in the passing game for Hickory, completing 57 percent of his passes for 690 yards and five touchdowns. He’s thrown just one interception.

Brest, though, said Grove City also has some threats equal to his own.

Senior running back Chad Williams has rushed for 727 yards and 12 touchdowns and junior running back Foster Reznor has added 651 yards and 10 scores for the Eagles.

Sophomore quarterback Jared Graham has completed 62 percent of his passes this season with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions — both coming in the loss to the Hornets in September.

“Both teams have some pretty doggone good skill people,” Brest said. “I think we’re pretty equal when it comes to that. Where this game is going to be won is with the big boys up front and they have some big ol’ boys up there.”

Bell said his team probably won’t score on every possession this week, but he hopes to control the ball and win the time of possession.

“When you’re just pounding it and getting 5 yards, 6 yards a carry, that has to be frustrating for your opponent,” Bell said. “That’s something we weren’t able to do the first time and hopefully we can do this time. That’s our game plan.”