CHERRY TWP — The Moniteau football team hasn't met Brockway since suffering a 22-20 loss in the 2005 District 9 Class AA championship game.

That game was played at Clarion University's Memorial Stadium, the site of the teams' district semifinal match-up at 1 p.m. Saturday.

But the Rovers have changed a lot since then.

"Two years ago, we were a running team," third-year coach Frank Varischetti said. "We lined up double-tight and went at people."

Then, quarterback Derek Burganza came along — and Brockway became airborne.

As a sophomore, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Burganza threw for 2,900 yards. This year, he's thrown for 3,072 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions mixed in.

Included in this season's numbers are a state-record 594 yards Sept. 25 in a 74-28 win over Otto-Eldred. Burganza completed 33-of-45 passes for six touchdowns in that game.

"We adapted our offense to the personnel at our disposal," Varischetti said. "Teams don't see an offense like ours, so they spend a lot of practice time trying to figure out how to stop us."

The Rovers (7-3) have lost 28-20 to Cameron County, 32-19 to Curwensville and 56-40 to Keystone in 2009.

Moniteau (6-4) is coming off a 33-6 loss at Grove City, the Warriors' third loss by at least 27 points this season.

"Our kids weren't really focused on Grove City," Moniteau coach Jeff Campbell admitted. "They wanted to get that game over with and begin preparing for Brockway.

"Teams that have done well against Brockway have run the ball against them. Ball control will be a key for us," he added.

That ball control begins with senior running back James Shope, who claimed the Butler Eagle Scoring Trophy as the county's leading scorer this season with 19 touchdowns. He's rushed for 1,165 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Kyle Armagost has rushed for 480 yards and eight TDs. He also has 796 passing yards and eight scores.

"Kyle is a different player now than early in the season. He's come such a long way," Campbell said.

"Brockway is a difficult team to prepare for. I've seen teams rush two and drop nine into coverage against them. But they use several formations and I'm as impressed with their running game as I am their passing game," the coach added.

Ryan Terwilliger is the Rovers' leading rusher with 572 yards and 10 TDs. He also is one of five Brockway players with more than 20 pass receptions.

Mike Vervoort leads the Rovers with 67 catches for 1,083 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jake Shaffer adds 53 receptions for 771 yards and five TDs.

By comparison, Tony Campbell leads Moniteau receivers with 15 catches for 353 yards and two scores. Zach Wheeler has 218 yards and four touchdowns receiving.

"Our run defense has been hit and miss," Varischetti admitted. "Coudersport ran for 300 yards per game all year and we held them to around 100. Ridgway had one of the worst rushing offenses this year and they ran for more than 200 against us."

Brockway is the No. 2 seed in District 9 Class AA, Moniteau is No. 3. Campbell is not happy about the 1 p.m. Saturday starting time.

"I hate it," he said. "It's just a strange time to play and we haven't done well historically on that field. Hopefully, that changes Saturday."

The Brockway defense has forced 28 turnovers this season — 12 interceptions and 16 fumbles. Moniteau has forced 10 — seven picks and three fumbles.

Senior linebacker Seth Galluzzi leads the Rovers with 123 tackles, including 66 solos. The Warriors have five defenders — Jacob Boy, Robert Moore, Jordan Smith, Devin Wheeler and Zach Sloan — with between 37 and 44 tackles.

The Warriors have 28 sacks, led by Moore's 8Z\x sacks and Boy's six.

"We want to be disruptive on defense," Campbell said.