Ron Deuter/The Daily News FOREST PARK HEAD coach Dave Graff patrols the sidelines during a game earlier this season.

POWERS — A match-up of contrasting styles is on tap Friday when top-ranked North Central hosts third-ranked Forest Park in an eight-player Division 2 regional football playoff opener in a 7 p.m. (EDT) contest.

The Jets (9-0), who like to pass and utilize their outside speed, are well aware of the challenges the run-oriented Trojans present.

Forest Park (7-2), which operates out of the I-formation, is often content to grind it out 4-5 yards at a time as it has for decades. The Trojans, however, pass just enough to keep other teams honest.

This will be the second meeting between the teams this season, with the Jets taking a 34-8 decision on their home field Oct. 5.

“I don’t care what anybody says,” said Jets’ coach Leo Gorzinski. “This is the toughest regional in the state. They have an outstanding program through and through. The bottom line is we know what we want to do. They have a proud tradition. We have to hit back and hit often. They also know what we like to do. There are no secrets. We can’t let them gain momentum on the ground. I think we have a deeper playbook and more speed, but it will always come back to blocking and tackling. It’s a matter of two great teams battling it out.”

In the opposite bracket, fourth-ranked Engadine (8-1) visits second-ranked Pickford (8-1) Friday at 7. Pickford won the regular-season meeting 58-18 at Engadine Sept. 6.

“On paper, Pickford should take it, but (Engadine coach) Howard Hood has been there a long time,” said Gorzinski. “You never know what could happen.”

The regional championship game takes place Nov. 8 or 9.

“North Central is a well coached team,” said Forest Park coach Dave Graff. “They have a tradition going and we’re looking for whale of a game. We have to try to contain the Gorzinskis (Noah and Luke). You can’t let either one of those guys get behind you because they’re so fast. We have to know our assignments and make sure we don’t get beat deep.”

Forest Park is led by senior quarterback Tom Peltola, who has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for about 400 yards and 12 TDs, and classmate Evan Hedtke.

“They’re our captains,” said Graff. “Tom has a 63-percent completion ratio and Evan is a tough, hard-nosed kid who can play on the line or in the backfield.”

Senior tight end Tom Showers is among Peltola’s favorite targets. Also among Forest Park’s leaders are senior running back C.J. Post, classmate Noah Gilner and junior Gabe Scarlassara.

“Noah is a real good defender,” said Graff. “Tom Showers is also an excellent player who can do it all and Gabe is a multi-dimensional, well-rounded player. These players I’d say are the nucleus of our team. They get it done. We’re happy to be where we’re at. The team is basically healthy. We’re happy to have an opportunity to give it our best shot.”

This marks the 23rd straight post-season appearance for the Trojans, who beat the Jets in the opening round of the playoffs the past two years.

“The guys are ready to go,” said coach Gorzinski. “The guys were a little slighted in the (Great Lakes Eight) conference meeting, and I think that lit a fire underneath them. We’re 100 percent healthy. We’ve got to get it done. We just want to stick with what we do best.”

Sophomore Noah Gorzinski and freshman Luke Gorzinski share the Jets’ signal-calling duties.

The Jets have five on the all-conference team, including Noah Gorzinski has collected 1,793 yards and 33 TDs this season. As QB, he threw for 13 TDs for a 72.1 percentage rate with no interceptions. He also ran for 467 yards and 11 TDs, added 475 receiving yards and six scores and scored on a kickoff return.

Senior linebacker Leo Gorzinski has 63 tackles, including 12 for losses with an interception, and freshman defensive end Luke Gorzinski has 55 tackles with 13 for losses and six interceptions.

Also among the Jets’ leaders are senior running back Cole Timblin and 6-foot-1, 265-pound sophomore guard Lane Nehring.