As Marshfield coach Justin Ainsworth sees things, there’s not a whole lot of difference in quality for most football teams still playing this time of year.

For that reason, two major keys for Friday’s playoff game against visiting Hermiston will be taking care of the football and being efficient in special teams.

Both of those factors have played against Pirates in losses this season, most recently last week’s 24-21 defeat to Thurston, when Marshfield struggled in the punting game and failed to cover a short kickoff by the Colts.

The defeat was one of two losses by Marshfield in Midwestern League play, the other a one-point setback to Churchill when the Pirates turned the ball over six times.

Those losses left the Pirates in third place in the league. Hermiston tied for third in the tough Intermountain Conference with The Dalles Wahtonka, but took the league’s fourth seed because of a loss to the EagleIndians. The Bulldogs also beat IMC co-champion Bend, while losing to co-champion Mountain View.

“They’re a good team,” said Marshfield quarterback Kyle Tedder, the Midwestern League’s most valuable player. “We’re going to have to play well.”

The Pirates did that against Thurston, with the exception of the special teams. Marshfield held the Colts well below their league scoring average, the most recent stellar effort by the Pirates on defense.

“Look what they did last week,” Ainsworth said. “To hold Thurston to 24 points — they did a heck of a job.

“That’s a testament to our kids and coaches.”

Hermiston will present some different challenges to the Pirates, though, with an offense that loves to throw the ball downfield and uses many unusual formations. The Bulldogs have scored at least three touchdowns in every game but the loss to Mountain View and average 30 points a contest.

Hermiston quarterback Faafiaula Ena was the IMC player of the year as a junior and has had another standout season, with the help of several dangerous receivers.

“We’ve got to be able to contain him and we’ve got to be able to adjust to formations,” Ainsworth said.

Tedder, who was a first-team all-league pick at both quarterback and defensive back, is confident the Pirates will be ready for Hermiston’s offense.

“The defensive line is going to have to play its best game of the season and we have to defend the deep ball,” Tedder said, adding that he’s confident Marshfield’s speedy defensive backs can contain Hermiston’s receivers.

Marshfield also will need to have a strong effort by its offensive line, Tedder said.

The Pirates, who averaged 29 points, rely on Tedder’s speed and throwing ability to have a balanced attack on offense. Among his top weapons are running back Ryan Scoville and receiver Chris Krajcir.

“I’m excited,” Tedder said. “It’s the first home playoff game we’ve had in a while. I think we’ve got a shot.”

Marshfield’s last home playoff game was in 2003, when the Pirates lost 10-7 to Barlow.

That is one of five consecutive playoff losses for the team, which fell to Roseburg in 2004, Wilsonville in 2006 and Jefferson in 2008.

The Pirates last wins in the playoffs came in 2001, when they beat Tualatin and Grants Pass before losing to Glencoe.

“We want to get over that hump,” Ainsworth said.

This is the first time Marshfield has been to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 2003-04.

Hermiston, meanwhile, also went to the playoffs last year, reaching the quarterfinals.

“They’re playoff tested,” Ainsworth said.

He’s glad Hermiston has a 400-mile bus ride before Friday’s game, which has been moved back to 8 p.m. to give the families of the Bulldogs a chance to make the long trip in time for the game.

“We’re glad to be hosting,” Ainsworth said. “If we play hard and execute, I like our chances to advance.”