Pay no attention to that odd-looking number prefacing Aliquippa in this year's WPIAL Class AA playoff bracket.

The fact is, there is something fitting about the defending champions crossing paths against Beaver Falls tomorrow night on the road to Heinz Field. It's what rivals do.

Who cares if you're a No. 9 seed? Aliquippa (10-1) certainly doesn't after earning their spot in the semifinals. The Quips scored 32 points in a wild fourth quarter to knock off No. 1 seed and previously undefeated South Fayette in a 47-34 quarterfinal victory last Friday.

Meanwhile, Beaver Falls (10-1) rolled through its first two playoff contests. Fueled by the terrific play of senior running back Cody Cook, the Tigers justified their No. 4 seeding and stand on the precipice of a third consecutive championship game appearance.

For Beaver Falls coach Ryan Matsook, facing Aliquippa in the playoffs is like venturing inside "the belly of the beast," an unpleasant but necessary task for any team that wants to be crowned Class AA champions.

"Honestly, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best," he said, still feeling the dull sting of losing the 2008 title game to Aliquippa, 8-6, on the Heinz Field turf 12 months ago. "You're gonna have to go through them. Last year's loss lingers, but we're a tough program and we've responded well this season. I think we'll be up to the challenge."

This season, Beaver Falls gained some semblance of retribution against their Midwestern Athletic Conference foe, defeating the Quips, 21-14, in Week 3. But to Matsook and Aliquippa coach Mike Zmijanac, the game was a dress rehearsal for what both teams hoped would come to pass.

"We've played so many times, we pretty much know everything about each other," Matsook said. "I guess you can take something away from our win in terms of confidence, but I think if both teams were the same now as we were in Week 3, then neither of us would be [in the playoffs]."

Zmijanac, who is in his 17th season at the Aliquippa helm, looked at the outcome from the opposite side and agreed.

"No losses are good in my book," he said. "But we took some things from it and we'll be better. Then again, so will they."

While the two programs clearly share a healthy respect for each other, there are differences in the on-field results. This year, Aliquippa seeks a shot at its record 14th overall WPIAL title and fourth since 2000 under Zmijanac.

Beaver Falls is trying to capture its first championship since 1984.

To do so, the Tigers have depended on Cook, a powerful 5-foot-9, 180-pounder who has rushed for 2,028 yards this season (including playoff games). In his career, he has run for 4,402 ... and counting.

Last week, Cook tore through Sto-Rox for 303 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-22 win. In the Tigers' 42-14 first-round triumph against Steel Valley, he chalked up 238 yards and three more TDs.

It didn't take long for Matsook to realize he had something special.

"I knew he'd be pretty good when he was a sophomore," he said. "The thing about Cody is, he's deceiving. He looks like a scatback but he's strong and breaks tackles. He's got great vision and can see and make cuts naturally."

"He's the MVP of our league and you don't get that just because you're a nice kid," added Zmijanac.

Of course, Cook is not alone. Quarterback Tony Omogrosso, a 6-0, 175-pound second-year starter, has connected on 50 of 82 attempts for 13 touchdowns and 1,136 yards during the regular season.

He is joined by senior wide receiver/running back Admire Carter (5-8, 165), who pulled down 24 passes for 570 yards (23.8 per catch) with 13 touchdowns during the regular season.

Meanwhile, Aliquippa has scored at least 27 points in its past five games. The Quips are paced by a bevy of lightning quick players on offense who have contributed equally to the team's success.

"They don't have one kid with mind-boggling stats this year, but they get it done," Matsook said.

Leading the way are a pair of quarterbacks, sophomore Mikal Hall (5-11, 155) and senior Rasheem Jones (6-3, 175), as well as senior wideout Haetaun Mathis (5-10, 170). The Quips also boast junior running back Darius Walker (5-9, 170), who ran for more than 100 yards in the team's 27-7 playoff opener against McGuffey.

Defensively, Beaver Falls sports senior middle linebacker Christian Madro (5-11, 185) and senior lineman Chris Elkins (6-6, 285). Meanwhile, the Quips feature Jones and senior Rashad Kenney, a wisp of a defensive back (5-5, 125) with good hands.

Size could be an issue tomorrow, as Aliquippa lists just nine players on its roster standing 6-0 or taller. Conversely, Beaver Falls lists 28 players eclipsing the 6-0 mark.

But size, like playoff seedings, are just numbers. Especially when these two storied programs meet on the field.

• What: Aliquippa (10-1) vs. Beaver Falls (10-1).

• When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.

• Where: Ambridge High School's Moe Rubenstein Stadium.

• The skinny: These two Beaver County teams played twice last year with the Quips beating the Tigers in the WPIAL Class AA final at Heinz Field. Beaver Falls won the regular-season contest, 21-14. The winner advances to the title game.

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.