Identical records, identical playoff hopes, even identical identities.

Moniteau (4-3, 3-2) travels to Redbank Valley (4-3, 3-2) for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday night, facing a team that likes to do the same thing it does.

Run the football.

"They're going to use Skyler Smith, we're going to use Matt Schandelmeier and Adam Cousins," Moniteau coach Steve Wilson said. "Whichever team performs the most efficiently on offense will probably win this game."

Smith has 109 carries for 744 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year. Schandelmeier has carried 123 times for 941 yards and 13 scores.

While Cousins (76-406) adds a second dimension to the Warrior ground game, the Bulldogs offer another dimension as well.

Senior quarterback Brandon Doverspike has thrown for more than 700 yards and seven touchdowns. He has been intercepted just three times in 75-plus passes.

Fellow senior Nick Johnston has been his primary target, catching 17 passes for 485 yards and six TDs.

"He's been a pleasant surprise for them," Wilson said of Doverspike. "They've been a run-oriented team traditionally and I'm surprised by their success throwing the ball."

Redbank coach Ed Wasilowski isn't.

"Brandon is an outstanding student and he combines athleticism and intelligence on the field," Wasilowski said. "We have an excellent quarterback coach in Frank Fabian, who played at Gannon, and he's brought him along.

"Brandon almost beat out Jason Smith at quarterback last year, but we wound up moving him to receiver to use that athleticism."

After dropping three consecutive games — including decisions of 14-13 to West Middlesex and 29-25 to Karns City — the Bulldogs have won their last two games by wide margins, 35-7 over Cochranton and 49-6 over A-C Valley.

"Those two programs are down a little bit, but we're not making the mental mistakes we were making earlier in the season," Wasilowski said.

"Line play is critical in any football game, but it's especially critical this week. Our line plays physical, but I don't know if our physicality is in Moniteau's league."

Wilson agrees line play will be a major factor. Moniteau's ability to throw the ball will come into play as well.

"No question about that," he said of the air game. "Teams are crowding the line of scrimmage with nine defenders to try to stop our run.

"While we still want to run and will try to run, we have to start connecting on some passes. It hasn't been one problem. We're either not getting the ball there or we're not making the catches."

The Warriors have thrown for only 294 yards all season. Tight end Ryan Protzman has caught two touchdown passes. No one else on the team has caught any.

Wilson had hoped Cousins and Schandelmeier would be productive catching passes out of the backfield this season. They have 98 receiving yards between them.

"We still have to be wary of their play-action," Wasilowski said. "Their tight end can be dangerous.

"Moniteau has a veteran team. I filled out the scouting report on them the other day … I feel like I've been writing down the same names forever."

Defensively, linemen Dan Jordan and Carter Dinger, along with middle linebacker D.J. Mohney, have been standouts for Redbank.

Middle linebacker Clay Campbell had 14 tackles in Moniteau's 10-0 loss to Karns City last week.

"Clay was all over the field," Wilson said. "You give up 10 points, you expect to win the game. Defense hasn't been the problem. We need to get more consistent offensively."