Mike Redding is used to coaching against teams for a second time come the tournament. This time, the repeat meeting will take place at Gillette Stadium.

Just five weeks after coming up short against them in week eight to finish the regular season, No. 3 Mansfield will look to take down Hockomock Davenport foe North Attleboro in the Division 3 Super Bowl on Friday at 8 p.m.

The Red Rocketeers handed Mansfield its only league loss of the fall, defeating the Hornets 14-10 on Oct. 25.

From 2017-19, Mansfield faced then Kelley-Rex rival King Philip in the regular season only to then face them in the postseason. The Hornets fared better in each of those matchups the second time around. Redding is hoping that pattern holds.

“You definitely learn some stuff the first time around. Teams evolve a bit also over the course of the postseason,” Redding said. “I remember experiencing it with King Philip well and faring better on the scoreboard the second time in each occurrence. I think we’re able to adjust.”

The Hornets are led by their ground game of Sean McCoy and Mason Bordieri. McCoy has 15 touchdowns. Quarterback Tommy Vallett has improved as the season has gone on with the junior completing over 75 percent of his passes the second half of the season.

Anthony DeGirolamo led the Hockomock in receiving touchdowns with nine. Up front, Sam Dunn, Chris Holts, Arthur DeAguiar, Curtis Riley and Nate Pailler look to dictate the line of scrimmage.

Defensively, Riley Sigman, Bordieri and McCoy hold down the secondary. Matt Touringey is a stout outside linebacker.

“Coming into the year, I thought we would compete to get into the state tournament and maybe win a playoff game, but I was not necessarily expecting this,” Redding said. “We have really clicked the second half of the season.”

North Attleboro is impressing with its postseason run. After defeating Woburn and Westboro by a combined 77-14, the Red Rocketeers defeated top overall seed Reading in the semifinals without star running back and linebacker Ryan Bannon.

In Bannon’s place, quarterback Chase Frisoli stepped up against Reading, taking off for 311 yards over 27 carries to go with four scores. Frisoli has 22 touchdowns, with 13 through the air and nine on the ground. When Bannon is on the field he is explosive with 12 total touchdowns.

Frankie Strachan is the team’s lead blocker at 6-foot-1, 255 pounds and will get some carries at fullback.

Around Frisoli there is no shortage of weapons. Bryce Kiser is the team’s top receiver while Brady Paradis tortures teams on the ground and in the passing game. Corey Rafino adds another dimension at running back.

Defensively, Bannon is at the center of it all from his linebacker position. The defensive line is made up of Reid Clemente, Nate Rivera, Patrick Hamilton and Austin Clemente.

“Our seniors do a really good job of holding themselves accountable,” head coach Michael Strachan said. “They know how important it is to have a great week of practice. They go back to the basics and do the little things every time.”

Division 3 state championship

Mansfield vs. North Attleboro

Friday, 8 p.m. at Gillette Stadium

Mansfield (9-3)

Head coach: Mike Redding

Mansfield 48, Everett 14

Duxbury 21, Mansfield 0

Mansfield 48, Johnston (RI) 0

Marshfield 13, Mansfield 10

Mansfield 42, Stoughton 0

Mansfield 35, Oliver Ames 7

North Attleboro 14, Mansfield 10

Mansfield 43, Canton 32

Mansfield 42, Doherty 17

Mansfield 14, Dartmouth 6

Mansfield 42, Walpole 28

Mansfield 21, Foxboro 7

North Attleboro (10-2)

Head coach: Mike Strachan

North Attleboro 48, Lynn Classical 14

North Attleboro 21, Lynn Classical 6

North Attleboro 42, Taunton 8

North Attleboro 51, Oliver Ames 0

Canton 12, North Attleboro 10

North Attleboro 51, Stoughton 6

North Attleboro 14, Mansfield 10

Foxboro 19, North Attleboro 14

North Attleboro 35, Woburn 7

North Attleboro 42, Westborough 7

North Attleboro 42, Reading 20

North Attleboro 38, Attleboro 8

State title history

Mansfield is making its 12th appearance in a championship game and has posted an impressive 8-3 record. The Hornets last played in the final in 2019 when Vinny Holmes rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-0 win over Lincoln-Sudbury to claim the Div. 2 crown.

North Attleboro is no stranger to the postseason, having appeared in 11 title games. The last time the Red Rocketeers won a Super Bowl game, it was one for the ages as they defeated Swampscott 44-40 to win the Div. 3 title in 2002.

Danny V’s outlook

The game is a rematch of an Oct. 25 regular season contest in which North Attleboro emerged victorious in a defensive struggle, 14-10. While I think North Attleboro might be the better team, there is something about Mansfield and its late season run which seems to make me hedge my pick a bit.

Pick: Mansfield