Warrior Run take the first before the start of their game against Loyalsock at Loyalsock High School. Warrior Run won, 47-42. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Troy (10-1) is pursuing its second straight state championship and is 26-1 over the past two seasons. The Trojans have won nine straight games, eight via mercy rule, since a 14-13 Week 2 loss at New York power Waverly. The Trojans pulled away from Warrior Run in the second half of last year’s final and won a third straight NTL-I title this season.

The winner of the District 4 Class AA semifinal tonight faces either Bloomsburg or Southern Columbia in the final next week.

Mason Smith and Brendan Gilliland both went over 1,000 rushing yards last week and Smith also is over 1,000 passing in his first season at quarterback. Those two have combined for three 200-yard rushing games this year and Smith has thrown 17 touchdowns against just one interception. Wellsboro took an early eight-point lead in last week’s quarterfinals but the Trojans stormed back and scored the next 49 points.

Smith ran for 155 yards and four touchdowns with Gilliland going for 92 yards and two scores. Kael Millard is another threat, going over 500 yards this year. Trey Teribury has caught six touchdowns. Reed Palmer returned a fumble for a score against Wellsboro and Millard has five sacks. Kicker Gavin Lykon-Leffler has produced 172 points the past two years, kicking six field goals.

Jayden Kutt, a junior linebacker, helps spark the defense and has 12 tackles for loss. He also has forced a fumble, recovered another and broken up five passes. Kutt provides backfield depth, running for 265 yards and three touchdowns.

Warrior Run (10-1) gets a second chance against Troy after losing in last year’s final. That was the first district final the Defenders had played in and they have made history again this year, winning 10 games for the first time. Warrior Run also earned a share of the HAC-III crown, its first league championship since 2005.

The Defenders put together an excellent second half in the quarterfinals, taking a 41-point lead and defeating South Williamsport, 41-7. It was the seventh time the defense allowed either one or no touchdowns this season. Warrior Run has won seven straight games and has surrendered just 24 in its last four. David Stiner had a big game last week, making a team-high nine tackles.

Warrior Run received an added lift as linebacker Chase Wirnsberger, who led the team in tackles through three games, returned for the first time since Week 3. Liam Moore intercepted a pass to end a scoring threat before halftime and Warrior Run has returned three turnovers for touchdowns this season. Quarterback James Keifer has carved up defenses down the stretch this season and went 11 of 14 for 144 yards and three touchdowns against South.

Max Fogelman totaled 134 yards and three touchdowns on seven touches and running back Denyn Beachel went over 1,200 yards, becoming only the second Defender to do so in the 2000s. Cohen Zechman leads the area in receiving yards and has three touchdowns as a punt and kick returner. Tyler Ulrich has scored three ways, totaling 861 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Garrett Williams, a jjunior two-way lineman, has helped Warrior Run feature some of the best line play among area teams this season. He has part of an offensive line which has sparked the Defenders in having a balanced, potent offense and also has been tough to move defensively. Williams has nine tackles for loss and made five solo tackles against South.

Second chances are hard to come by and Warrior Run has earned one. This is power against power with Troy and Warrior Run both possessing excellent line play on both sides. Smith is having a super season, but Warrior Run would like to neutralize the run and make him pass more.