The Lindhurst Blazers will invade the Gold Bowl on Friday evening to face Mariposa’s Grizzlies in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V gridiron playoffs.

The Blazers finished in third place in the Golden Empire League this season behind runner-up Highlands, and league champ Capital Christian, which is the odds-on favorite to claim the section banner.

Lindhurst is a mere shadow of the dominate team that vanquished Mariposa in last year’s first round playoff clash, 28-6. Gone is one of the section’s best running backs, and an experienced quarterback who led the Blazers to a 9-4 overall mark and second place in the section playoffs, falling to Marysville in the championship game, 33-19.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in what weather forecasters are predicting as inclement weather, but there will be plenty of good food, music from the 'Pride of the Sierra,' hot chocolate and coffee to take the edge off the chill.