FLORENCE — History will repeat itself for the University of North Alabama football team as the Lions will be in a familiar position when the NCAA Division II playoffs begin Saturday.

Last season the Lions had the opportunity to avenge a regular season loss during the first round of the playoffs when UNA had to travel to Valdosta State.

This year UNA will attempt to avenge a 31-26 loss to West Alabama when the Lions take on the Tigers on the road.

This will be the 18th time UNA has played the same team twice in one season with the Lions holding an 11-6 record in rematch games. This will also be the 15th time — and seventh consecutive year — UNA has faced a Gulf South Conference opponent in the playoffs with the Lions holding a 9-5 record in those games.

Turnovers, missed field goals and several penalties cost the Lions during the regular season game against the Tigers.

UNA leads the all-time series against West Alabama 47-16-1, but the Tigers have become a difficult opponent in recent years. West Alabama upset the Lions in four overtimes last year when UNA was ranked No. 1 in Division II.

If the Lions beat West Alabama this week, they will have an opportunity to avenge their other loss of the season. The Lions would face Delta State, which beat UNA30-24 in overtime earlier this year, in the second round of the playoffs.