BEDFORD — After a 32-22 loss to Bishop Guilfoyle in early October, the Bedford High football team was 1-5.

It was the fifth loss in a row for the Bison and the 14th in their last 16 games.

Playoffs? The playoffs were little more than a pipe dream.

But something peculiar happened the following week.

Bedford won and a hot streak ensued that has led the District 5 champion Bison into a clash with District 9 winner Karns City at Northern Bedford High School 7 p.m. Friday in the first round of the PIAA Class AA playoffs.

"I credit the kids," said Bedford coach Dan Smith. "They really could have folded the tent."

Instead, something clicked and the Bison went on a roll, winning five of their next six games, including back-to-back wins over archrival Chestnut Ridge and a 29-6 victory over City League champion Westinghouse.

This will be the first state playoff game for Bedford (6-6) since the early 1990s. The Bison have never won one.

"I think the kids realize they can do something no Bedford football team has ever done before," Smith said. "This could be the team that people look back on and say, 'That 2009 team was the start of the Bedford playoff tradition.'"

Smith has coached in the Bedford football system for 35 years, but this is only his second season as the head coach.

And it may be his last.

Smith, 56, is planning to retire from teaching and coaching at the end of the school year.

"It's time for some younger guys to have a shot," Smith said. "I came in basically to stabilize the program. Not to rebuild, but to steady the ship."

Smith has been able to nurture a young, developing team.

Sophomore quarterback Marcus Shippey has struggled at times, but he also has shown flashes of brilliance. Shippey has completed 49-of-108 passes for 791 yards and three touchdowns. He's also rushed for 596 yards and eight scores.

Shippey, who also is the leading tackler with 146 stops at middle linebacker, is one of many talented underclassmen on the roster.

"(Shippey) has taken on a leadership role and he's really stepped up," Smith said. "He has a gun for an arm. He still makes some mistakes, but he's learning."

The Bedford offense is very diverse. The Bison will line up in a double-wing, a single-back, pro set and even the shotgun.

"About the only thing we won't come out in is the I," Smith said.

When Shippey isn't running or throwing behind a physical offensive line, he hands off to pint-sized fullback Paul Detwiler.

The 5-foot-8, 155 pound senior, who never played running back before this season, has gained 1,198 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.

Detwiler plays much bigger than his diminutive frame, Smith said.

"He has a motor that never stops, even in practice," Smith said. "He's a quiet leader. He's not that big. But he's always the first one done with sprints."

Smith did a lot of lineup shuffling this season, and most of the moves have panned out.

On defense, the Bison run a 5-3 and a 4-4 and have active linebackers.

"We get the gaps filled," Smith said. "We don't like to blitz a lot."

No matter what happens against Karns City, Smith said nothing could dampen his feelings about this season.

"It's been a special one for the team and for me," Smith said. "The kids have shown a lot of resiliency and pride."