When two teams that are meeting in the playoffs played each other earlier in the season, that first meeting can often be a sign of things to come.

But both Springville coach Scott Mitchell and Dixie coach Blaine Monkres say the Red Devils' 21-14 win over the Flyers to open the season is not indicative of what will happen when the two teams meet Thursday in the 4A football semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"That game means nothing," Mitchell said. "We do not, and will not, focus on the past."

However, both coaches do expect another close game, just like the one on Aug. 21. But the Red Devils (10-1) aren't feeling overconfident that the first win means another one is guaranteed, and the Flyers (8-3) aren't feeling like underdogs just because they lost the first meeting.

"They are playing a lot better than they did then, and I expect them to play a lot better on Thursday," Mitchell said. "We know we're playing a good team, a team that did a lot of good things to get to this point, so we're expecting a very tough game."

In that first game, the Flyers jumped out to a 14-0 lead before the Red Devils stormed back with 21 unanswered points, with Dixie failing to score in the second half.

"That first game is a tough one to get your timing and execution down," Monkres said. "We also had a new defensive coordinator and were not ready with special teams. This time of year all that stuff is better, but it's better for everyone."

Dixie, the Region 9 champion, lost three of its first four games, but it is currently riding a seven-game winning streak. Monkres said his team's loss to 3A Hurricane was the wake-up call.

"Ever since that game the kids have worked harder and been a lot more committed to our program, and fortunately we've been able to get on a little bit of a roll because of that," he said.

To extend that streak to eight games, however, the Flyers must find a way to open holes and provide pass protection against a defense that only gave up more than two touchdowns twice this season.

"We're going to have to control the ball and keep good field position if we hope to win this game," Monkres said.

The Flyers must also stop Springville's high-powered and varied offense, which features several dangerous ball carriers and many explosive receivers.

Sophomore quarterback Steve Bate did not play in the first meeting, but has started the past seven games with 17 TD passes during that stretch. In last week's win over Woods Cross, however, the Red Devils (Region 8 champions) struggled offensively.