Mustang running back Colby Dougherty (24) races downfield during Saturday's state playoff game in Heppner against Gold Beach.

On Sept. 9, the Heppner Mustangs hosted the Grant Union Prospectors for a regular season game that can be best described as a learning experience for both sides.

Both Heppner and Grant Union trotted out numerous new starters and contributors on both sides of the ball for the 2016 season, and it showed. The teams combined for seven turnovers in that match-up, but in the end, Heppner prevailed with a 36-20 victory, thanks to a quick start on offense and a defense that hung on just enough to keep the Mustangs out in front for good.

Now nine weeks later, those two teams will square off on Les Payne Field once again this weekend as the No. 4-seed Mustangs will host the No. 5-seed Prospectors for a 2A quarterfinal on Saturday afternoon. Heppner coach Greg Grant says that both teams are much improved from that first meeting, and that his team has not put a lot of time reflecting on the game in terms of preparation this week.

“I don’t think it’ll mean a whole heck of a lot,” Grant says. “We saw them, they saw us … we’re just expecting a good game from a really good football team.”

At stake on Saturday is a trip to the state semifinals, where Heppner has been for the past three years and a place that Grant Union is hoping to get back to for the first time since 2013. The Mustangs hope that their home field advantage continues to give the advantage that it has over these past few years.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Grant said. “It’s something you have to work hard for and have to earn. This will be the eighth home playoff game here in four years, and that’s pretty good.”

Grant Union overcame adversity in its first-round state playoff game against the Reedsport Braves last week after losing quarterback Wade Reimers in the first quarter and running back Cameron Hallgarth in the third quarter to injuries. Reimers is expected to play against Heppner, but it was unknown whether Hallgarth would be healthy enough to play.

Before the injuries, the Prospectors jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the first quarter. The team amassed 280 rushing yards in the game but only threw for 24 without Reimers. Reedsport actually outgained Grant Union with 141 rushing yards and 180 passing, but the Prospector defense held the Braves to two touchdowns, one in the second quarter and another in the final seconds of the game.

“Defensively, we really stepped up and shut them down,” head coach Jason Miller said.

Heppner is coming into the game with a full head of steam fresh off of a 55-20 win over Gold Beach in which the Mustangs outgained Gold Beach 361-182. The Mustang starters only played the first half of the game, as they dominated Gold Beach to a 49-6 halftime lead, though Grant says there is still plenty to improve upon for Saturday.

“I think there’s a lot of things to work on. At this point of the season it’s all about habits formed and how you handle the mental side of the game,” Grant said. “Effort is obviously something that will play in, so they need to bring great intensity and play at their best.”

Heppner holds an advantage in playoff experience, as guys like Logan Grieb, Kevin Murray, Tim Jaca, and Wyatt Steagall were all key contributors to Heppner’s state championship last year and have really stepped up as leaders in the postseason, according to Grant.

“I think it’s been a natural flow of things, the seniors and most experienced players need to set the tone,” Grant said, “and those guys have taken the younger kids and set good examples.”

Heppner’s defense will have its hands full with Grant Union’s offense again Saturday, led by Reimers. The quarterback had a solid game against the Mustangs in Week 2, throwing for 130 yards and running for 121 yards and one touchdown. Grant Union actually outgained Heppner 304-302 in offensive yardage in that game as well.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Les Payne Field at the Morrow County Fairgrounds in Heppner.

Eagle reporter Angel Carpenter contributed to this report.