Playing a fellow Corn Belt Conference team in the football playoffs is nothing new for Prairie Central High School.

Playing Pontiac in the playoffs, well, that makes this a different ball game.

"With a big rivalry that plays a huge factor," said Prairie Central coach Brian Hassett. "It's the whole mentality."

Call it the Livingston County Bowl or a Class 4A first-round playoff game when third-ranked Prairie Central (9-0) entertains No. 7 Pontiac (6-2) at 1 p.m. today at Lewis Field in Fairbury. The Hawks held off Pontiac 26-21 in a wild game on Sept. 1, stopping the Indians inches shy of the goal line on the final play.

Another Corn Belt team will be involved in a 4A opener today. Mahomet-Seymour (6-3) heads south to meet Breese Mater Dei (7-2) at 1 p.m.

Pontiac-Prairie Central

Prairie Central played Central Catholic twice last year. The Hawks lost by a point during the regular season and 36-33 in a 4A second-round playoff game.

Even though the Hawks and Pontiac played about two months ago, Hassett believes the first meeting holds some significance. Prairie Central is the No. 2 seed in the 4A upper bracket, while Pontiac is No. 15.

"We'll go through the film and see what we did successful and shore up what we weren't successful on," he said. "We were running different stuff offensively then and they were using different formations."

It would be hard to imagine Prairie Central and Pontiac staging a more thrilling game than the Sept. 1 meeting. It was the Indians' first game of the season after their opener at Herrin was canceled because of the death of Pontiac student Ali Arbogast in an automobile accident.

Prairie Central surged to a 20-0 lead before Pontiac roared back. The Indians went ahead 21-20 with 2:57 left on Patrick Miller's 39-yard touchdown pass to Sam Mackinson. Six plays later, the Hawks reclaimed the lead on quarterback Jerid Coleman's 5-yard TD run.

Coleman's biggest play came at the end. Pontiac's Mark Earney caught a tipped pass from Miller on a "Hail Mary" pass. But Coleman stopped Earney before he got into the end zone to preserve the Hawks' victory.

Pontiac coach Mick Peterson downplays the first game's relevance.

"It's ancient history. It means nothing," said Peterson. "We have to go out and play this one and play better. The biggest change we have to make is we have to play better on special teams. They're different and so are we."

Peterson said Pontiac wanted to play today instead of Friday to give injuries to Cody Strong (knee), Tyler Sweitzer (ankle), Miller (groin) and Kendrique Coats (hamstring) another day to heal. All have practiced this week and are ready to go.

"This team, every time they've been challenged, they've found a way to get the job done," said Peterson. "I don't know if it will work this week because the team we're playing has outstanding players. But getting this opportunity is kind of fun. We look at it as a tremendous opportunity."

Peterson said keeping track of Phillip Short is a must if Pontiac wants to win. Short has caught 38 passes for 823 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's also rushed for 236 yards and is a dynamic kickoff and punt returner.

Prairie Central averages almost 37 points per game. Coleman has completed 91 of 142 attempts for 1,448 yards and 18 TDs, while Ben Herr has gained 979 yards rushing with 16 TDs.

The speedy Coats leads Pontiac with 902 yards rushing. Miller has completed 48 percent of his passes for 1,012 yards and seven TDs, with Mackinson and Davis each catching 22 passes.

"I don't expect Pontiac to do much differently," said Hassett. "Offensively, we saw some things late in the year on them that were different, formations and personnel group."

Pontiac could have emotion in its favor. Peterson is retiring as the Indians' coach after 18 years at the helm when the season ends.

"It's not about me and never has been. It's these players," said Peterson, who guided Pontiac to the 1993 Class 3A state title. "They're not ready to finish the season."

The Pontiac-Prairie Central winner advances to next week's second round against Oregon or Macomb.

Mahomet-Mater Dei

Mahomet-Seymour rides into the playoffs on a high, averaging almost 42 points a game while winning four straight. Now, the Bulldogs take a three-hour bus ride to Breese.

"Being able to win the last four games we've gained a little confidence," said Mahomet-Seymour coach Tom Shallenberger. "Starting 2-3 we knew we had a decent team, but we knew we had a tough schedule at the beginning of the year. Fortunately our seniors wanted to fight and make the playoffs."

Mater Dei, which is an independent, lost its last two games to once-beaten Tolono Unity (17-0) and unbeaten and 4A top-ranked Newton (35-23). The Knights are the No. 5 seed in the 4A lower bracket and Mahomet-Seymour is No. 12.

Scott Hemann is the Knights' leading rusher with 885 yards. Quarterback Colin Detmer has completed 46 of 101 attempts for 782 yards and eight TDs while also rushing for 212 yards and five TDs. Kyle Thole is Detmer's favorite receiver with 29 receptions for 612 yards and six TDs.

"Their defense is good," said Shallenberger. "They're big up front and like to run the football. It's not much different from what we see all the time (in the Corn Belt)."

John Porter leads Mahomet-Seymour's offense with 1,022 yards rushing. Quarterback Lyle Shallenberger is 54 of 119 for 821 yards and 10 TDs.

Salem or 10th-ranked Quincy Notre Dame awaits the winner in next week's second round.