Dowagiac and Buchanan may run very different offenses, but their goals are still the same.

The Bucks (5-3) and the Chieftains (6-3) will try to find a balance between the running and passing game.

Both teams can ill afford to turn the ball over and will count on their defenses to help carry the load.

Dowagiac had to win its final four games to reach the postseason.

The Chieftains defeated Paw Paw 22-7 in a game that saw Dowagiac gain 342 yards in total offense and allow just 175 yards to the Redskins.

Dowagiac ran for 186 yards and threw for another 156 yards as quarterback Brenden Dudley was 11-of-13 with a touchdown.

Caleb Murphy caught five of those passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, while Erik Walker rushed for 107 yards on 11 carries.

“We are going to have to play with high emotion and intensity,” Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger said. “On defense, we can’t give up big plays and on offense protect the football. Buchanan’s offense will put the ball in the air, so we have to get a pass rush and have good coverage in the secondary. Buchanan will blitz on defense, so we have to be ready to pick up the blitz.”

Buchanan defeated arch rival Brandywine 48-12. Like Dowagiac, the Bucks had to play their way into the postseason after losing their first two games.

Against the Bobcats, Buchanan ran for 157 yards and threw for 141 as Darren Shearer was 7-of-11 with a touchdown.

Chad Adkerson ran for 95 yards and scored three times for the Bucks, who defensively limited the Bobcats to 123 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers (two fumbles and two interceptions).

“I believe Friday’s game will come down to who protects the ball (turnovers) and who limits the big plays,” Dowagiac coach Mike Stanger said.

Tickets for tonight’s game are $5 per person and no passes will be accepted.

The gates of Chris Taylor-Alumni Field will open at 6 p.m. with no reserved seats.