Dennis Grall | Daily Press Rapid River coach Steve Ostrega watches the action as he patrols the sidelines earlier this season at Powers. The Rockets visit Engadine Friday in the opening game of the eight-player postseason.

ESCANABA — Two weeks ago Engadine upended Rapid River 30-12. The teams collide again Friday but the stakes have increased as the rematch is the opening round of the postseason.

Who, if anyone, gets the advantage from that first meeting?

“I don’t know that anybody has the advantage in this situation,” Rapid River coach Steve Ostrenga said. Do the Rockets have extra incentive? “I’d like to hope so,” he said.

The Rockets trailed 22-6 at halftime after failing to score from six inches out just before the intermission.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. in the eight-player Division 2 opener. Crystal Falls Forest Park plays at North Central at the same time Friday, and the highest seeded winner would host the next game.

Engadine (8-1) relies on two solid runners. Rapid River (6-3) has a three-headed offensive attack and can be explosive, such as last week’s 85-50 conquest of Brimley.

“It is a matter of how much our guys and how much their guys want it,” said Ostrenga. “What you try to do this week is pay attention to the little things, but it still comes down to offensive and defensive lines and pursuit angles.”

Engadine quarterback Andrew Blanchard has run for 1,099 yards and 17 touchdowns and has passed for 829 yards and eight TDs. Fullback Kyle Gould gave the Eagles 1,003 yards rushing and 15 TDs. Junior tailback Hunter Dennis has been a recent boost, with coach Howard Hood noting “it makes it real easy for play-calling.”

The Eagles have seven seniors and a veteran line, and Ostrenga said “Blanchard makes it go. He runs the ball, he is very good with fakes and with the run option, and he can throw the ball. He is a triple threat. He is a very savvy football player. He has the whole package.”

The Eagles operate from the I-formaton, but at times it looks like a wing-T. “With his faking and ability to boot or keep the ball, it has some similarities to the wing-T,” said Ostrenga. “We have to stop their inside trap amd counter to Gould. He’s hard to find (5-foot-7) but he’s a tough running back and he’s shifty.”

Ostrenga pointed out the Eagles beat reigning state champion Forest Park 52-42 last week by building a 30-0 halftime lead, and they also produced 62 points against Superior Central and beat North Central 64-34.

“They are a quality football team, but on the same token, we’ve done some good things as well,” said Ostrenga.

The Rockets are led by quarterback Brent Lundquist, who has completed 75-of-120 passes for 1,024 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Ostrenga also has 240-pound fullback Gunner Larson, blossoming tailback Azariah Hernandez and back-receiver Tyler Sundling as major offensive weapons.

“They are a very explosive team, for sure,” said Hood, who was coach of the year in the Great Lakes Eight Conference. “They have a lot of weapons. We have to try to keep them in front of us. Their fullback is a big kid who runs hard.”

Hood said it will also be important for the Eagles to get a good pass rush, and also watch Rapid River’s off-tackle prowess behind Sam Orth and guard Lenny Menary.

After erupting for 85 points last week, Hood said “that gets your attention a lot. They are pretty explosive at times and they are coached very well.”

Engadine rushed for 3,316 yards this season, with all-conference guard Alex King leading the charge. Linebacker Jonah Miller, who returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns, is a key defender along with Gould.

The Eagles have been helped recently by the return of sophomore defensive tackle Nicholas Nance, who broke his foot in spring.