Warrior Run knew it would be in for a tough battle against defending state champion Troy on Friday in the District 4 Class AA semifinals and Troy ultimately proved to be too much for the Defenders.

Troy scored 28 points in the first quarter to set the tone early en route to a 48-24 win to advance to next week’s district final vs. Southern Columbia.

Brenden Gilliland recorded three first-quarter touchdowns before he broke a 95-yard run in the second quarter. Gilliland ran for an outstanding 323 yards and had five rushing touchdowns on 21 carries. Troy out-gained Warrior Run in total yards, 517-472, in a game that featured 989 yards of total offense.

Denyn Bechdel ran for 102 yards and a touchdown for the Defenders.

James Keifer threw for 278 and four touchdowns to lead Warrior Run’s offense and Cohen Zechman reeled in nine passes for 194 yards and two scores.