Eureka's banged up, but far from beaten heading into Saturday's 1 p.m. Class B football playoff opener at home with No. 10-ranked Florence-Carlton (6-2).

"We're confident in our kids," Eureka coach Ed Newell said.

"We'll put together the best game plan we can."

Eureka (6-2) will be without its top running back - Chad Price - and starting quarterback - Colin Gillard.

Gillard was knocked out of action two weeks ago versus Thompson Falls with a broken left hand. He had hand surgery last week and has not played since.

Last week at Darby, Price dislocated his shoulder on the Lions' first offensive possession. Price was playing quarterback.

"We were playing well," Newell said heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.

"The kids were doing a great job. Just a couple of freak things."

Price was enjoying a spectacular season with 1,560 yards rushing on 179 attempts for a hefty 8.72 yards per carry average and 17 touchdowns.

Gillard was also impressive, rushing for 233 yards on 44 carries for a 5.3 average. He was 24 of 53 passing for 717 yards.

Gillard is expected to play defense for the Lions on Saturday and could see action at quarterback. He's having his hand fitted with a cast today.

"They say he can(play)," Newell said.

"We'll see."

Price will not play.

Taylor Vaughn, another key two-way starter, was also sidelined last week. The fullback and middle linebacker is nursing a strained hip. His status is up in the air.

"Last year we went through a stretch at the beginning of the season where we lost five kids to knee injuries," Newell said. "But we had time to work through it, get our kids prepared. This year it happened in the last two games. It's kind of a tough time to bring new blood, new kids in."

Freshman Tanner Blankers and junior Kade Davis have shared quarterbacking duties in practice this week.

"We'll see who's the most ready," Newell said.

Blankers replaced Price under center last week, but the Lions had trouble with the quarterback-center exchange.

"We fumbled like 12 times," Newell said.

"Ten of those were on the exchange."

If Vaughn is unable to go, Curtis McDuffie will start at fullback and middle linebacker.

Newell said the injuries have affected the offense, more than it has the defense.

"Initially down, a little bit in shock," Newell said of the team dealing with the injury issues.

"We've had some good practices. We're introducing new schemes offensively and defensively and that's kept them excited.

"We have some competitors," Newell continued.

"We have a few things up our sleeves they won't be ready for. We'll go out and play hard."

Eureka and Florence-Carlton squared off in the first round of the playoffs last year with Eureka posting a 21-14 victory. The two schools did not play this fall, but they had four common foes - Troy, Missoula Loyola, Deer Lodge and Darby. Eureka and Florence-Carlton both went 3-1 versus those schools, both losing to Missoula Loyola.

Eureka shared the District 7B regular-season title with Plains-Hot Springs and Bigfork. All three schools finished 4-1.

Florence-Carlton (3-1) was second to Loyola in 6B.

Playoff Schedule

First round, Saturday

All games 1 p.m.

Class B

Florence-Carlton at Eureka

Plains-Hot Springs at Missoula Loyola

Colstrip at Townsend

Wolf Point at Fairfield

Columbus at Malta

Three Forks at Baker

Whitehall at Huntley Project

Choteau at Glasgow

Class C

Bainville-Culbertson at Sheridan

Power-Dutton-Brady at Charlo

Harlowton-Ryegate at Wibaux

Arlee at Fort Benton

Stanford-Geyser at Drummond

Scobey at Joliet

Victor at Centerville

Twin Bridges at Ekalaka

6-Man

North Star at West Yellowstone

Custer-Melstone at Great Falls Central

Terry at Denton

Augusta at Savage

Bridger at Big Sandy

Jordan at Winifred-Roy

Geraldine at Hysham

Reed Point-Rapelje vs. Dubois, Idaho (in Lima)