NTL FOOTBALL: TROY HEADS TO WARRIOR RUN IN REMATCH OF LAST YEAR'S DISTRICT FINAL (2025-11-06)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
Troy’s (10-1) state title defense is about to go up a notch when they travel to Warrior Run (10-1) for the District IV, Class AA semifinals Friday. 

Ever since their week two loss to Waverly the Trojans have rolled every opponent they’ve faced, but as teams get eliminated the cream will start to rise beginning with the Defenders.

“It’s really exciting,” Coach Jim Smith said about facing Warrior Run. “We’ve been waiting all year for this moment - you play 10 weeks to get an opportunity to make some noise in the postseason. And the kids have worked hard, and hopefully we can go into Friday with all our guys healthy.”

Last year they faced Warrior Run in the district final as a veteran team with a single minded goal of a state title. This year they still have the same goal, but now they’re the defending champions, and they have plenty of new faces up and down the roster.

“I’ve definitely noticed that everybody just wants to beat us, so it’s definitely more pressure,” Running back Brendan Gilliland said. “We’re getting everybody’s best, so that’s tough. I think we’ve improved a ton since the beginning of the year, especially the younger guys. They’re only getting better, so it’s good to have them.”

Warrior Run comes in on a seven game win streak after beating South Williamsport in the opening round of the playoffs last weekend. They also boast wins over Muncy (21-7), Montgomery (24-7), and Loyalsock (47-42) with their lone loss coming at the hands of Bloomsburg (42-28).

“They have a very big, physical front with experience, and a good, experienced quarterback that doesn’t make very many mistakes; he’s thrown very few interceptions,” Smith said. “He’s good at reading coverages and is poised. They’ve got two physical running backs. They’re a complete team, and they have a lot of confidence and are going to be well prepared with a believe that they’re going to beat us.”

James Keifer has 1,460 yards passing this year with a 65-percent completion rating, with 20 touchdowns against eight picks.

Cohen Zechman has been his top target, with 54 catches and 920 receiving yards. He’s hauled in 12 touchdowns on the season.

Denyn Beachel leads the team on the ground with 1,233 yards rushing and 12 scores on 160 carries. Tyler Ulrich adds 595 yards and 14 scores on 98 carries.

Pass defense is one area that Troy has focused on improving this year.

“We’re just getting more reps in practice, getting more looks,” said safety Mason Smith. “When a scout team offense is going they pass the ball a lot. I feel pretty confident about it, we’re getting better every day.”

The defensive side of the ball is the area Troy had the most uncertainty coming into the season.

“We lost probably the most amount of talent off our defense,” coach Smith said. “I think we had seven or eight new faces on defense this year, and took our lumps early with teams that spread you out and with good quarterbacks, so that’s been a concern, but the young guys are growing up quick. Last week I think our defense had four turnovers, and we’re getting after it, and we’re going in with a lot of confidence. They’re not freshmen and sophomores any more going into week 12.”

Offensively, Mason has settled in well as a dual threat from the quarterback position, and has been a model of consistency this year.

Through the air he’s passed for 949 yards with a 74-percent completion percentage with 17 touchdowns against one interception. On the ground he’s rushed for 849 yards and 15 scores on 71 carries.

“It’s a little bit different, but it’s fun,” Mason said about playing quarterback this year. “I like it.”

Gilliland has missed a couple games but still has 908-yards rushing and 15 touchdowns on 78 carries, and is ready to carry the ball 20-25 times a game if needed.

“I’m excited for it,” he said. “I think I’m ready and I’m just excited to play. I’ll do whatever I can to win the game.”

Kael Millard has 502 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on 74 carries from the fullback position.

The receiving corp is full of new faces but has proven themselves to be big play threats this season. Trey Teribury (22 catches, 387 yards, eight touchdowns), Josiah Pesesky (10 catches, 116 yards, three touchdowns), and Reed Palmer (eight catches, 95 yards, four touchdowns) give Smith plenty of size, while Spencer Martin (nine catches, 105 yards, and three touchdowns) adds another weapon.

That’s helped as they’ve battled injuries more this season than last year.

“Not a lot of people know but we’ve had a lot of adversity with injuries, and medical stuff along the way,” Smith said. “It makes you a bit skittish, but we’re about as healthy as we’ve been since the first week of camp, and hopefully we can stay that way going into Friday night.”

They’ll be traveling to Turbotvile this time around with kick-off slated for 7 p.m., but considering their first five weeks of the season were all road games playing on the road shouldn’t faze them.

“We’re definitely just going to come in, run the ball, figure out what’s working, and just do that,” Mason said.

KEYS TO THE GAME
Troy - Get pressure on the quarterback. Troy’s defensive line carries the most experience on the team, so if they can get pressure on Keifer, and generally control the line of scrimmage, it’ll make their secondary’s life easier.
Warrior Run - Force Troy to the air. Troy’s shown they can pass the ball this season, but in pick your poison teams would rather the Trojans throw than run. Slowing Gilliland and Smith is the only way that the Defenders can avoid a shootout.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brendan Gilliland, Troy, RB/LB - Expect a big dose of Gilliland this week, but his defense is just as important as his offense. He’ll need a strong effort on that side of the ball to keep Warrior Run’s backs in check.
Denyn Beachel, Warrior Run, RB/LB - Not only does he lead the team in rushing, he’s second on the team in tackles (69) and tackles for loss (eight). Much like Gilliland, his play on both sides will be key for the Defenders.

Print Friendly Version