The question posed to Center High School football coach Larry Taddeo was meant more as an icebreaker, not one that would conjure up bad memories.

When asked what he knew about Ford City, Center's opponent tomorrow night at 7:30 in the WPIAL Class AA quarterfinals, Taddeo said quickly, "I know they handed it to us, 39-8, last year."

	The game What: Center (8-2) vs. Ford City (9-1). When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. Where: Deer Lakes High School stadium. The skinny: This is a rematch of a first-round Class AA playoff game won by Ford City last year. ??? The winner plays the Greensburg Central Catholic-Mars winner. The game PG West: Playoff previews

OK, but that was more than 365 days ago.

What's interesting is that Ford City coach John Bartolovic figures the Trojans are still smarting from that first-round playoff loss.

"I'm sure they want to make amends for last year," he said.

Center (8-2) and Ford City (9-1) will square off at Deer Lakes High School's Lancer Stadium.

The fact the Trojans played Ford City last year helps ... some.

Ford City runs the Delaware Wing-T offense and has three running backs with impressive numbers. Derek Bush, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior leads the way with 1,137 yards on 143 carries. Sophomore fullback Sean Kriley has 607 yards on 92 carries and Carter Haponski has more than 500 yards rushing.

In their first-round playoff game against Steel Valley, a 24-3 win, the Sabers rushed for 299 yards and had 352 yards total offense.

"We played only two Wing-T teams last year in Mars, during the regular season, and Ford City," Taddeo said. "I don't think we went against any teams that run that offense this year.

"It's just a question of telling the players not to get caught looking into the backfield because that's when you get in trouble."

The Wing-T relies on quickness, slick ballhandling and misdirection plays. It is a great ball-possession offense and a team that runs it well, such as Ford City, can put together long, methodical scoring drives that consume big chunks of time.

Wing-T teams do not throw the football much, although Ford City's Ryan Hand has completed 46 of 98 passes for 811 yards. Teams that run the Wing-T can have problems if they get behind.

That's why Taddeo wants Center to get off to a fast start.

The Trojans also like to run the football and have a talented running back in Maurice Carter, a 5-8, 175-pound sophomore who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards. They also have a gifted quarterback in Carl Farrow, a 6-5 senior who has passed for 738 yards and run for more than 300.

"Their size is what's impressive about them," Bartolovic said, referring to Center linemen Evan Blankenship, who is 6-4, 315, and Nate Glasser, 6-0, 267. There is also John George, 5-11, 234, and Kevin Kosmal, 6-0, 231. Ford City has just three players heavier than 240.

"They are huge up front. Their size is a factor. Hopefully, we'll be able to offset that with our quickness."

Ford City comes into the game averaging 40.5 points. And the Sabers are playoff-tested, advancing to the quarterfinals for a fourth consecutive year. Bartolovic had nine defensive and eight offensive starters returning when camp opened.

Center has been stingy on defense, allowing opponents just 13.2 points per game. The Trojans have not allowed a WPIAL team more than 14 points in a game since the first week of the season and that includes top-ranked Aliquippa, which edged Center, 13-7, two weeks ago.

The Trojans have also been opportunistic. Junior Matt LaValle has nine interceptions and Farrow has five. Hand did not throw an interception in eight games this season.

Taddeo said his Trojans are ready for Ford City. Center scrimmaged against Hopewell and Moon in August and went against Franklin from District 10 in a non-league contest. All are Class AAA schools and Hopewell and Moon are still alive.

"We go against those teams to get ready for games like this and the one we played last week against Yough, which was Triple-A last year," he said.

"At this point it doesn't matter much who you are playing ... everybody's good," Bartolovic said. "We didn't play all that well this past week against Steel Valley. We'll need to pick it up against Center."