Plainville returns to the Class 2-1A playoffs in 2011 to face Sacred Heart in Salina tonight. The Cardinals have made it to the postseason four times now in the last six years but will looking for their first playoff win since 1992.

Plainville (8-1) suffered their first loss of the season a week ago in LaCrosse, 14-8. That loss sent the Cardinals packing for the opening round which will kickoff at 7PM from Salina Stadium.

The Cardinals still have the 6th best scoring offense in Class 2-1A at a mark of 40 points per game. Plainville has evened the carries out in their powerful rushing attack to four guys. Trevor Axelson, Harrison Gilliland, Dalton Werner, and Kyle Becker each have over 50 carries so far this year. Axelson leads the way with 1,085 yards on 99 carries.

Coach Joe Simon, now in his 3rd year with the Cards, feels like it did his team good to play in a game like last week in LaCrosse. The intense atmosphere should have them mentally focused and sharp for the start of the playoffs.

Sacred Heart (6-3) has won four straight games since starting the season 2-3. The Knights bring in a more balanced attack, but will look for junior Drew Diederich to get things going in their ground game.

The one similar opponent both Sacred Heart and Plainville played this year was LaCrosse. The Knights lost to the Leopards 42-13 back in week 5 of the regular season. The Cardinals dropped their game to LaCrosse by six last Friday.

The winner tonight will take on either Ellis or Stanton County next weekend. Kickoff from Salina is set for 7:00 and the Fort Hays State University Office of Admissions Pregame Show begins at 6:30 on The Country Bull, Y102.