Pictured is the Greene Trojans varsity football team following its victory over Thomas A. Edison last weekend. The Trojans, unbeaten at 7-0, host Spencer-Van Etten/Candor in the first round of the Section IV 8-man football playoffs tonight at 7 p.m. (Submitted Photo)

Spencer-Van Etten/Candor runs an offense that bears a stark resemblance to Greene's, and the Eagles' defense is also a near carbon-copy of the Trojans' alignment.

Given those similarities - and both teams sporting long winning streaks heading into Friday's playoff game at Greene High School - something has to give.

"We know it will be a big challenge to play another quality opponent," said Greene head coach Dave Gorton. "We're hoping, because we had a more difficult regular season schedule, we'll be more playoff ready."

S-VE/Candor won all its games during the abbreviated spring 2020-2021 season, and all six games this season by an average margin of 53 points a game.

  Looking at those numbers, it's a fair conclusion the Eagles have had few worries this season beyond the first quarter.

"They run more jet sweeps, and they don't throw it as much as we do," Gorton said. "But they basically run the same plays and the same defense as we do…they try to get to the perimeter (on offense) and use their speed. If we can slow that down, I think we have an opportunity to frustrate them."

The Trojans (7-0), meanwhile, are so slouch on offense, either. The second half of the season, Greene produced its best rushing performances, while also stiffening up on defense.

Hunter Page, who missed early-season games, has over 700 yards rushing, and Tyler Brown nearly 400 rushing yards. Both backs are also averaging better than 10 yards per carry.

Grayson Flanagan has complemented the running game with nearly 700 yards passing this season and 13 touchdown passes.  Bill Dunlap and Damien Hitt have hauled in many of those touchdown tosses giving Greene a multi-dimensional offense that should test the S-VE/Candor defense.

"Early in the year we struggled to run the ball," Gorton said. "We had new offensive linemen, and at the time, we only had one healthy running back. Now we have more experience with the line, and an understanding of what's going on. Both starting running backs are at full speed, and we're more dangerous running the ball. As cold as it could be tomorrow, that could be the key to the game."

Game time for Friday's Section IV playoff game is 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 per person, Gorton said.  If unable to attend the game, the Greene High School athletics page will live stream the game. The link is available on the school's website at www.greenecsd.org/AthleticsDepartment.aspx.