Siuslaw’s Joe Thompson and Danny Barnum take down North Bend running back Cody Harden during their Oct. 10 game. The Vikings host Henley on Friday night. World Photo by Lou Sennick.

Siuslaw has added to its strong football tradition the last six years, advancing to the football playoffs each season.

That happened again this year, when the Vikings beat South Umpqua last Friday to take third place in the Far West League.

Now the Vikings are limping into the state playoffs, and a home game Friday against Henley, the third-place team from the Skyline League in Southern Oregon.

“We’re so banged and beat up and bruised that it’s almost punishment to have them go through another week of practice,” Siuslaw coach Tim Dodson said Tuesday.

He said virtually everybody on the team is playing with some sort of injury, including lots of bruises, tweaks and sprains.

The Vikings have been playing through injuries for several weeks, which Dodson admires.

“It’s a great group of kids,” he said. “They work hard. I’m not sure this is a great reward.”

The injuries have led to opportunities for some younger players, though, including one who saw his first varsity snaps in the regular-season finale and two more expected to play in the varsity game for the first time Friday night.

The playoffs aren’t necessarily the best time to be breaking in new players, especially against a quality opponent like the Hornets.

“They’re fast, they’re big, they have a great scheme, both offensively and defensively,” Dodson said. “They’re well-coached across the board.”

The Hornets are 5-5, including an endowment-game loss by a touchdown to Ashland, a co-champion of the Class 5A Southern Sky League; a 36-8 loss to Klamath Union, another co-champion in the league; a three-point win over Eagle Point, from the same league; and a loss to Yreka of California. The Hornets were 2-2 in the Skyline League.

Dodson expects the Hornets to try to run at the Vikings, while Siuslaw will try to counter with its veer offense, run by veteran quarterback Jacob Mitchell.

One obvious plus for the Vikings is playing on their home field, where Siuslaw has won a playoff game each of the past five years.

“Home’s treated us pretty well over the years,” he said.

“We’re excited to continue to play. We’ll go give it our best shot and represent the Far West League as well as we can.”

 And win or lose Friday, Dodson said the Vikings can be excited about their accomplishments this year.

“They reached the goal of making the playoffs and getting five wins,” he said. “I think they accomplished some of the most important goals — team unity and continuing the Siuslaw tradition.”

Friday’s game starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for students.