Negaunee quarterback Gerald Johnson (10) is wrestled to the ground by Iron Mountain defenders Max Jayne (16) and Joe Colavecchi (4) in a West PAC Conference Copper Division game Aug. 26 at Mountaineer Stadium. (Theresa Proudfit photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — For the fourth consecutive season and the eighth time in the last 10 years, there will be at least one playoff football game for the Iron Mountain Mountaineers.

Head coach Robin Marttila and his staff will guide the Mountaineers into an MHSAA Division 8 first round matchup against Frankfort on Saturday at Mountaineer Stadium.

The Panthers, who play in the Legacy Division of the Northern Michigan Football League, come in with a 6-3 record. They’re currently on a two-game skid, having dropped their final two regular season games to playoff teams Hopkins and East Jordan.

Frankfort did have a six-game winning streak beginning with a Week 2 win over conference foe St. Ignace. A Class D school with an enrollment of 154, the Panthers outscored their opponents this season 196-190.

Iron Mountain (6-3), whose enrollment is 268 (270 and below play in Division 8), outscored their opponents 221-150. They finished the season winning five of their final six after a 1-2 start.

“When watching film on Frankfort, they are a no-huddle spread team with a good balance of run and pass,” Marttila said. “The key to their offense is their quarterback Nick Stevenson. He will hand it off, run it, or pass it depending on what the defense is in. This will be a challenge for us defensively. Their main running back is Adam Mills and he has good size and speed in the open field.”

Keys for the Mountaineers include execution on offense, winning the turnover battle, and adjusting to the no-huddle spread offense early in the game, Marttila said. “We look forward to hosting a playoff game on Saturday,” he added.

Kickoff inside the yellow walls will be at noon.