When your step is a little quicker, your heart beats a little faster, and there is a sense of anticipation in the air, area football fans know it can mean only one thing: The playoffs have arrived.

After thumping Thorp on Tuesday, Hurley will take its eight-game winning streak and sparkling 9-1 record on the road to face Flambeau Saturday at 4 p.m.

Ontonagon (6-3) made the MHSAA playoffs for the first time since 1996 with a victory over Washburn. Their reward was a first round travel game against undefeated Lake Linden Hubbell on Saturday at 1 p.m. (EDT).

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