For the fourth time in the last two years, Clearfield and Bradford will face each other on the football field. And for the second straight season, the Bisons and Owls will play in the District 9 Class AAA Championship game.

Bradford (8-1), the defending champions, meet Clearfield (8-1) Friday night at DuBois' E.J. Mansell Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Way back in the opening week of the season, Bradford topped Clearfield, 13-7. Bradford's Ben Copeland made three interceptions and 10 tackles to spearhead a Bradford defense that led the Owls to their first regular-season win over Clearfield in 11 years.

Senior linebacker Mike Fair added 11 tackles and a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Bradford built a 13-0 halftime lead and held off the Bison down the stretch.

Clearfield fullback Matt Meckey scored on a four-yard run for the Bison's lone score.

Halfback Jason Casey ran for 101 yards and fullback Jim Nuzzo had a 100 yards on the ground to pace the Bradford offense.

The Owls racked had 240 yards rushing and 296 total yards. Clearfield ended up with just 136 yards of offense.

Will it be any different the second time around? Clearfield did end the regular season two weeks ago with an impressive 21-0 win over DuBois to secure a three-way tie with DuBois and Bradford for the District 9 League title. DuBois beat Bradford, 28-25, on Oct. 12.

It could come down to matchups and the war on the line of scrimmage. Bradford's balanced running attack has three runners over 400 yards this year with Jason Casey (74 carries, 674 yards, 8 TDs), Elliott George (60-495-8) and Jim Nuzzo (84-478-3), along with Mike Fair (46-263-7). Casey is also a dangerous return man, returing two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns.

Quarterback Kevin Rose has rushed for five touchdowns as well. He's completed 22 of 47 passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns. His top receiving target is Kevin Copeland, who has 14 receptions for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Copeland leads the Bradford defense with seven touchdowns.

Clearfield has gotten plenty of big plays this year from junior running back Dave Richards, who's rushed for 958 yards and scored 20 touchdowns, three of them on kickoff returns. Richards will be a primary focus for the Bradford defense.

Senior fullback Matt Meckey has rushed for 569 yards and eight touchdowns. He's also the leader on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker.

The Bisons also have quarterback Mike Sayers, who has completed over 50 percent of his passes (57-of-108) for 731 yards and 11 touchdowns with six interceptions. Sayers' top target is split end Todd Shaw, who has caught 27 passes for 416 yards and six touchdowns. Shaw was D9sports.com's Player of the Week in Week 9 when he and Sayers hooked up for four receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Both teams also have good kickers. Bradford's Ken Ciolek has booted four field goals while Clearfield's Bryan Mohney has made 36 of 38 point-after kicks.

While Bradford is looking for a repeat title, Clearfield is seeking its fourth district title. The Bisons won the Class AAA title in 1998 and 1999. The Bisons are playing in their fourth straight Class AAA Championship game.