Fueled by the grit and desire of a defending WPIAL champion, Bethel Park marched down the field on a potential game-winning drive against another talented team on a warm night less than two months ago.

But after moving to their opponents' 4-yard line in the closing minute, the Black Hawks' comeback attempt came to an abrupt halt at the hands of an impressive goal-line stand by a standout defense.

"We had four cracks at it," coach Jeff Metheny said afterward.

Tomorrow night, the Black Hawks get another.

Looking to advance to its second consecutive WPIAL championship game, Bethel Park hopes to avenge its only loss in its past 24 games against WPIAL competition when the No. 3-seeded Black Hawks (10-1) face No. 2 seed Woodland Hills (10-1) in a WPIAL Class AAAA semifinal at West Mifflin's Titan Stadium.

The Wolverines defeated Bethel Park, 21-17, at the Wolvarena on Sept. 25 in a contest that Woodland Hills coach George Novak called "a great, great football game." That, however, was just a non-conference regular-season tilt. This is for an invitation to Heinz Field for Nov. 27.

There's no need to remind Novak of what will be staring down his team from the opposite sideline.

"When you get to the semifinals, everybody is pretty good. And Bethel Park is very good," Novak said. "They're the best team we've played so far, in all aspects of the game."

The Black Hawks showed that in the previous meeting and have continued to do so since. Junior running back Bre Ford, who has run for more than 1,000 yards this season, ran for a score against the Wolverines, and did the same in Bethel Park's 32-14 quarterfinal victory against Shaler Area.

Senior quarterback Matt Bliss tossed two touchdown passes against Shaler, and was sharp -- when he had time to throw -- against Woodland Hills.

"Bliss had a great game against us the first time," Novak said. "And they have six guys back on defense from that WPIAL championship team. Top to bottom, offensively and defensively, they don't have any weaknesses."

Added Novak: "[The last game] was down to one play."

That "one play" was a statement stop by a Woodland Hills defense that is the biggest reason why the Wolverines are a championship contender. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the Wolverines 5 with 10 seconds remaining, Bliss fired a slant to the right corner of the end zone, but the connection -- the low pass was knocked away -- was foiled by terrific coverage by the Wolverines' Lafayette Pitts and Davon Dixon.

In a 36-3 quarterfinal win against Central Catholic, the Wolverines limited the Vikings to just nine first downs and 153 total yards. The Wolverines are surrendering a paltry 7.5 points per game, and have given up seven or fewer points in all but three games.

"They can all run," Metheny said. "They're aggressive and they know where to line up. It's not rocket science. They have good players who know how to play. And they don't stay blocked long."

A Bethel Park defense that has been good in its own right -- giving up 13.8 points per game -- will be forced to deal with Woodland Hills running back Dom Timbers, who ran for 116 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting, and amassed 129 and three touchdowns last week.

Asked what he took from the previous encounter that will help his team most this week, Metheny offered no tactical analysis, but rather an old adage that means much more in this game than most.

"Tighten up your chinstrap because it's going to be a physical game." Metheny said.

"Yards are going to be tough to come by. Field position is key. You have to make them go the distance and not give up the big play.

"We'll need to come to play. If not, we'll have to get ready for Thanksgiving, because we'll be done playing football."

• What: Bethel Park (10-1) vs. Woodland Hills (10-1).

• When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.

• Where: West Mifflin High School's Titans Stadium.

• The skinny: Bethel Park is the defending WPIAL Class AAAA champion. Woodland Hills has not appeared in the WPIAL final since 2005. The winner plays Gateway or North Hills for the title.

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