RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Canton’s Weston Bellows picks up yardage against South Williamsport during a game this season. Bellows and the Warriors face Bishop Guilfoyle at Mansion Park tonight in the PIAA Class A semifinals.

NOTES: Game is tonight at Mansion Park in Altoona, 7 p.m.

Canton road to semifinals: In District 4, defeated Muncy, 45-7; in states, defeated Steelton-Highspire, 32-27 and Old Forge, 20-14, in OT

Canton PPG–39.9, PPA–8.1; YPG–336.2, YPA–176.8

Canton notes: After winning the first two state tournament games in program history, Canton is trying to become just the fourth area team to reach a state final. The Warriors broke the Northern Tier League record for wins in dramatic fashion a week ago, overcoming a 14-point deficit in the final eight minutes against previously undefeated Old Forge. Canton has overcome second-half deficits in both state wins, dethroning the defending state champions against Steel-High and knocking off the state’s top-ranked team a week ago. The Warriors have forced 10 turnovers during states, including six against Old Forge. Five players intercepted passes in that victory and Weston Bellows’s end zone interception denied Old Forge an overtime touchdown. Hayden Ward and Caiden Williams blocked fourth-quarter punts and Ward finished with 14 tackles, a sack and an interception. Austin Allen, Riley Parker and Gage Pepper also intercepted passes. Canton has four shutouts and the starting defense has held six teams without a point. The Warriors won their first district championship since 1990 when they built a 32-0 halftime lead against three-time defending champion Muncy. They also captured the NTL-I championship, pounding rival Troy, 36-0, in the season finale. Parker has run for 1,276 yards and 23 touchdowns, also scoring as a receiver, defender and punt returner. Bellows also has scored touchdowns four ways, producing 1,136 yards. Quarterback Cooper Kitchen has run for 13 touchdowns and came up big with his arm late in the game, throwing a 71-yard pass to Ward and a picture-perfect 12-yard touchdown to Parker. The offensive line has played well throughout the season and overcame a shaky start against Old Forge. That line has helped four Canton players top 500 rushing yards.

Canton player to watch–Bailey Ferguson: The junior cornerback is a jack of all trades and has helped Canton in all facets this season. Ferguson has provided quality coverage, especially against Steel-High and also has run for two touchdowns. He made a big impact on special teams against Old Forge, drilling crucial, clutch extra points which helped force overtime.

Guilfoyle road to semifinals: In District 6, defeated Purchase Line, 38-8; Homer-Center, 28-0, and Juniata Valley, 24-21

Guilfoyle PPG–27.3, PPA–17.4; YPG–314.4, YPA–297.8

Guilfoyle notes: The Marauders are pursuing their fourth state championship since 2014 after winning three straight titles from 2014-16. This is a young Guilfoyle team which has made major strides throughout the season, overcoming some costly injuries to reach the state semifinals for a second consecutive season. The Marauders dropped a 16-14 heartbreaker to Steelton-Highspire in last year’s semifinals and earned another shot at reaching the state championship after erasing an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit against Juniata Valley. Cooper Rother’s 12-yard touchdown run with 1:59 remaining made the difference in that comeback win. Vincent Ciofarri clinched the win six seconds later with an interception. Quarterback Kevin Kiesewetter is a dual threat and ran for 139 yards on 23 carries while also completing 11 of 18 passes for 134 yards. The junior signal caller has thrown for 1,721 yards and 12 touchdowns while running for a team-high 867 yards and 18 touchdowns. Rother has produced 806 yards and 10 touchdowns with Drew Abraham adding 398 yards. Rother is an excellent receiver and has a team-high 45 catches for 595 yards and three scores. Patrick Reilly has 18 catches for 320 yards and totaled 72 yards against Juniata Valley. Abraham and Drew Yanoshak also have more than 200 yards receiving. Yanoshak’s 114 tackles are tied for the team lead and Ciofarri has 8 1/2 sacks. Pj Pollock Jr., and Sante Bambocci each have collected 7 1/2 sacks and Pollock has a team-best 15 tackles for loss. Guilfoyle has won six of its last seven games and rallied from a 1-2 start when it was dealing with the season-ending loss of dynamic weapon Haiden Garner. The defense has come together in the postseason and allowed just eight points in its first two District 6 wins.

Guilfoyle player to watch–Colin Butler: The senior two-way lineman has excelled on each side of the ball, anchoring both units. Butler has 20 pancake blocks offensively and is tied for the team lead with 114 tackles. The defensive tackle has 13 tackles for loss and helped set the tone in the district quarterfinal win against Purchase Line, making 11 tackles, including three for loss.

Winner plays: District 9 champion Redbank Valley or District 6 champion Bishop Canevin

Outlook: This is quite a showdown between resilient teams coming off dramatic comeback wins. Canton already has played two state tournament thrillers and it would not be surprising if tonight is the third. These are evenly-matched teams, and like last week, it would be surprising if either team wins this by more than a touchdown.

–By CHRIS MASSE