The 2011 season began nearly 2 1/2 months ago with the first practices in the late summer heat of August. That initial preparation has transitioned to a defining point for three area teams, who hope to extend their season in the Section IV football playoffs.

Norwich (4-3) makes its third straight postseason appearance, albeit as a lower seed when it laces on the shoulder pads for a return meeting with Johnson City (6-1) Saturday at 7 p.m. at Binghamton Alumni Stadium. Just two weekends ago, the Tornado dropped a 24-12 final to JC as Anthony Johns led the Wildcats’ attack with 178 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Johns, and the rest of the Johnson City backfield, operates behind a large, physical offensive line that slowly wore down a game Tornado defense.

“We will be playing guys on defense (against their offense) that will be outsized at times,” said Norwich coach John Martinson, who has not missed the playoffs since taking the head reins at NHS three seasons ago. “Playing good defense has really been our strength, but the last two games we’ve struggled off tackle. We’ve made some changes this week, and Johnson City will see some things they haven’t seen before. We hope to create some turnovers, and that will be a major key.”