Cassopolis and Edwardsburg will enjoy a home-field advantage Friday night.

The Rangers and Eddies will host first-round games in Divisions 7 and 4 respectively as the state football playoffs get under way.

Benton Harbor at Edwardsburg

The Eddies (8-1) are making their eighth consecutive trip to the postseason, which includes trips to the state semifinals last season and in 2014.

The Tigers (5-4) are making their third consecutive appearance in the playoffs for the first time in the modern era.

Benton Harbor was eliminated in the district championship game each of the past two seasons.

In order to reach the playoffs, the Tigers had to beat Buchanan last Friday night, which it did 53-0, and then count on its playoff points.

Benton Harbor’s four other wins came against Berrien Springs (29-7), Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (62-26), Detroit Country Day (21-6) and Muskegon Orchard View (46-8).

The Tigers started the 2017 season 0-3, having lost to Dearborn Divine Child (42-12), Grand Rapids South Christian (28-19) and Chicago De LaSalle (27-24).

The Eddies’ lone loss of the season was a 21-18 loss to Three Rivers, which snapped Edwardsburg’s 34-game Wolverine Conference winning streak.

This is the first time in 2017 that the Eddies are facing a non-Wolverine Conference opponent.

Veteran Edwardsburg coach Kevin Bartz said that it creates some extra work in preparation.

“Playing a non-Wolverine conference playoff game creates some challenges in preparing for a team you haven’t faced before,” he said. “Since films are not exchanged until Sunday evening, coaches have a short time to look at and breakdown film. We are not completely unfamiliar with Benton Harbor as we have scrimmaged them the past couple years at the beginning of the season.

“At the start of the season and through the first three to four games, the Tigers had several injuries to key players. Those players are all back and playing well.  We will have our hands full trying to defend the field against a very talented running game and a passing attack that features some very good receivers. Defensively, they are very quick and physical. I know Benton Harbor has been working hard this past year to stop the Power-T offense and will present us with several difficulties.”

The Eddies and Tigers are playing in District 1.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday night.

Three Rivers will host arch rival Vicksburg in the other District 1 semifinal.

In District 2, Lansing Sexton (6-3) will travel to Lake Odessa Lakewood (8-1), while Plainwell (7-2) will travel to Grand Rapids South Christian (7-2).

Edwardsburg capped off an 8-1 season with a 48-6 win over visiting Sturgis.

Nick Bradley rushed for 90 yards on eight carries, while Kyle Shrider added 68 yards on three carries and a touchdown.

Caden Goggins had a pair of touchdowns for the Eddies, who also got scores from Chase Sager and Landen Cebra.

Edwardsburg finished the night with 431 yards of total offense, including 362 on the ground.

The defense held the Trojans to 160 yards of total offense.

Homer at Cassopolis

The Cassopolis Rangers return to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season.

The Rangers (8-1) reached the Division 7 state semifinals in 2016, before falling to runner-up Detroit Loyola 54-22.

Cassopolis will host Homer (6-3) in the opening round at 7 p.m. Friday night.

The Rangers’ only loss of the season was a 34-24 decision in Week 8 to undefeated Mendon.

The Trojans have wins against Constantine (36-34), Concord (52-12), Jonesville (35-30), Union City (38-24), Bronson (49-6) and Hanover-Horton (41-14).

This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

The Trojans are making their fifth consecutive appearance in the playoffs.

Homer reached the Division 7 state semifinals in 2013, where it was defeated by Detroit Loyola 52-7.

Cassopolis and Homer are playing in District 2. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (5-4) and Addison (7-2) are in the other half of the bracket.

In District 1, Vermontville-Maple Valley (5-4) will travel to Hartford (6-3).

The Rangers wrapped up the regular season with a 38-0 victory over visiting Centreville on Senior Night.

Cassopolis scored 21 first-quarter points en route to the easy victory.

Brandon Anderson rushed for 66 yards on three carries and a touchdown, while he also had four receptions for 80 yards and a pair of scores.

Xander Smith finished the night with six rushes for 78 yards and a score, while he also was 2 of 3 for 13 yards and a touchdown at quarterback.

Starting quarterback Dylan Green was 4 of 5 for 70 yards and a touchdown. Green had two carries for 25 yards.

The Rangers outgained the Bulldogs 319-97 in total offense, including 236-88 on the ground.