BY JASON PEAKE

Webb City and Carl Junction can't seem to avoid each other once the postseason arrives.

For the sixth year in-arow, the Cardinals and Bulldogs are meeting with the season on the line.

In the latest playoff clash between close rivals, top-seeded Webb City (10-0) hosts fourth-seeded Carl Junction (5-5) at 7 tonight in a Class 4 District 6 semifinal at Cardinal Stadium.

The winner advances to next week's district title game against either No. 2 Neosho or No. 3 Marshfield.

"Any time we play them, you can throw the records out the window," Webb City coach John Roderique said. "It's always difficult to play somebody two times in the same year and that's happened with us and Carl Junction quite a bit lately. This is a tough district semifinal for us. We have to show up, play hard, play smart and just do all the things that it takes to be successful."

Webb City enters the matchup ranked first in Class 4 by the Missouri Media.

"We've told our kids all week that great moments are born out of greatopportunity," Carl Junction coach Doug Buckmaster said. "Friday night is an opportunity. We'll see if our kids will rise

to the occasion and make a great moment out of it."

The Cardinals topped the Bulldogs 42-9 the season- opener.

"What happened in Week 1 won't have any impact on what happens on Friday night," Roderique said.

"That game was so long ago. I'm hoping that we've improved since Week 1 and I'm certain that they have."

"We haven't had the season that we would have liked, but with the exception of the Joplin game, I think we have gotten much better the last four or five weeks," Buckmaster said.

Senior quarterback Cade Beason and senior running back Durand Henderson lead Webb City's offense. Webb City is scoring 42 points per game while allowing just 11 points a night.

"We'll need to stay in the game by not turning the ball over and hopefully forcing Webb City into some mistakes," Buckmaster said.

Senior running back Joe Kennedy and sophomore quarterback Alex Baker lead the Bulldogs. Carl Junction is averaging 19 points per game while allowing 23 a night. The Bulldogs are coming off their highest scoring output of the season, 43 points against Hillcrest.

"They've got good players, a lot of speed and an offense that score points

in a hurry," Roderique said of the Bulldogs. "And traditionally, they've done a good job of defending us."

Buckmaster noted his team is embracing the underdog role. "I don't think anyone gives us much of a chance, but it doesn't matter what others think," Buckmaster said. "The kids can decide it on Friday night. I think our kids are preparing to win a football game. I do think our kids will give it their best effort, and whether that's good enough or not we'll find out on Friday."

The Cardinals and Bulldogs have met in postseason play in every season since 2013.