Rewind to last year’s season finale in the District 11 Class 2A semifinals, the first time Salisbury qualified for the tournament in nearly a decade. It was Northwestern that was responsible for ending the Falcons’ historic season.

Fast-forward to Friday night and Salisbury and Northwestern will square off for the first time since last November’s postseason showdown. The Falcons are hoping the results are a bit different than the 27-14 defeat a year ago.

Both teams enter Friday’s tilt at Salisbury High School at 1-0. The Falcons are coming off an impressive showing against the Rough Riders, while the Tigers used a come-from-behind effort to edge Palmerton, 13-12.

The common theme among the two teams is that both graduated plenty of its skill-position players from that 2015 district game.

Salisbury will be without all-time passing leader Tevon Weber (53 career touchdowns). His favorite wideout and record-holder of the most receiving touchdowns in one season, Mason Donaldson, has also graduated. Devin Irwin and Shane Wittman and the rest of last year’s ball carriers won’t be speeding up the sidelines or bursting through the middle of the Falcons’ line anymore.

But judging by their first game, the Falcons possess a number of offensive weapons ready to replace that talent, both on offense and defense.

On the Tigers’ side, a number of key faces will no longer be on the opposing sideline come Friday night. Quarterback Frank Dangello is no longer lining up behind center, and standout running back Harry Hall leaves arguably the largest shoes to fill for Northwestern.

But quarterback Devon Bollinger, despite being a freshman and playing in just one varsity game, is ready to take over the reigns for Tiger head coach Josh Snyder. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 250 yards and one touchdown in the comeback win last Friday against the Blue Bombers.

Bollinger’s favorite target in the passing game was wide receiver Trevor Cunningham, who hauled in seven catches for a game-high and school record 183 yards. The duo also hooked up for a touchdown early in the game.

Much like Catasauqua did a week ago, the Tigers are not afraid to sling the ball across the field. They also possess a number of talented running backs that are more than capable of moving the chains.

Tyler Foster handled much of the workload in the backfield behind Bollinger, finishing with 51 yards on 17 attempts. Fellow quarterback Phil Dangello ran the ball seven times for 26 yards.

In terms of playing styles, that’s where the fans will notice the biggest difference. Salisbury built its offense around running the ball behind its offensive line. Of their 50 plays from scrimmage against Catasauqua, just four came via the passing game by quarterback Cameron Vaka.

Friday’s game will kick off at 7 p.m.