It’s another round and another familiar opponent for the Blooming Prairie football team as it heads to Rushford to take on top-seeded Rushford/Peterson in the Section 1A final Friday at 7 p.m.

The Awesome Blossoms (8-2 overall) beat R/P (8-2 overall) in the second round of last year’s playoffs in BP, but that was a season ago.

While there are no major changes in each team, there are some differences.

“I think both teams are different (from last year),” BP head coach Chad Gimbel said. “Over the time that I have been coaching, each season brings different chemistry, and different play making ability. I think they have the ability to be more explosive this year and they are a better passing team.”

One thing that BP will want to shore up is it’s defense against the big play. While allowing 21.2 points per game this season, the Blossoms have given up their fair share of long scoring plays.

“We need to stop the big play,” Gimbel said. “We have not given up many drives for TD’s but the big play has hurt us on defense.”

While BP has run the ball more in this season than last, it hasn’t slowed down their production as they have put up 39 points per game and scored over 50 three times.

BP senior quarterback Austin Moe has run for 932 yards and 11 TDs in seven games, while throwing for 1,325 yards and 19 scores with four interceptions.

“Offensively we need to control their defensive line. We can not allow them to make us one dimensional,” Gimbel said. “We have to be able to run the ball, which will in turn help the passing game.”

One thing the Blossoms has going for them that they didn’t last year is big game experience. The Blossoms know what it’s like to play for the Section Title on the road.

“I think the biggest thing is that we feel more comfortable this week,” Gimbel said. “It is more like a normal week of practice, where last year there was so much hype around town that the kids were tense all week.”

R/P scored 28 points per game this season and allowed 20.5 points per contest.