SWEET WATER &045; For the second time in many years the No. 2 ranked Sweet Water Bulldogs and the No. 3 ranked Maplesville Red Devils will face each other in the playoffs.

Last year it was in the first round of the state playoffs that they matched up and Sweet Water defeated Maplesville 35-27. This year they get to lock horns in the state semi-finals.

Ever since last year’s loss to the Bulldogs, the Red Devils has been determined not to lose again. They are undefeated so far this season with a 12-0 record. Maplesville beat Brantley 25-14 last week in the quarterfinals to advance for a chance to play Sweet Water.

The two semi-finalists met in round one of the 2002 state playoffs. The Red Devils were 27-7 victors in that game.

The Bulldog game plan is to run the football. Sweet Water, who won their fifth state championship in 2004, probably has the best running backfield in the state with the likes of Dominick Holt and Anthony Landrum. They both rushed for over 100 yards in last weeks 55-0 pounding of Sunshine in the quarterfinals.

The Bulldogs will pass a few times just to keep defenses honest. Quarterback Drew Luker threw for 144 yards last week.

Maplesville has a balanced offense. They can run just as much as they will pass, as was done against Brantley. John and Nick Andrews, along with Rod Nix and Brad Pike will key the offensive attack for the Red Devils. J. Andrews threw for 173 yards last week, completing 16 out of 26 attempts. He also rushed for 66 yards.

N. Andrews caught six passes for 134 yards in the contest against Brantley and Pike rushed for 70 yards.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. in Maplesville.