Woodland Hills coach George Novak always believed Richard Gray eventually would be a standout football player. It just took a while.

After missing much of his sophomore and junior seasons with injuries, Gray has been healthy this season and has turned into one of the top defensive ends in the WPIAL. Coincidentally (or maybe not), Woodland Hills has turned into one of the WPIAL's top defensive teams.

More and more Division I colleges are taking notice of Gray, and this 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior will be one of the key players in the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinal between Woodland Hills (10-1) and Bethel Park (10-1). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. today at West Mifflin's Titan Stadium.

"There have been teams that have schemed their offenses to try and control him," Novak said.

Gray has double figures in sacks and had four in one game. He and defensive tackle Khaynin Mosley-Smith, a Pitt recruit, have helped Woodland Hills' defense give up only 7.5 points a game.

"We have some other good players, but those two are on another level," Novak said.

Novak always has liked Gray's potential. That's why he moved Gray up to the varsity as a freshman. But Gray injured a knee as a sophomore.

He played a few games as a junior, but after incurring a head injury in the middle of the season doctors recommended that he not play the rest of the year. This year, Gray has been a headache for opponents.

Novak describes Gray as having "size, strength, speed and athleticism. He has some [Mid-American Conference] schools that have offered him [scholarships] already. Other schools are evaluating tape on him right now. I think he's going to get a lot of offers."

Only two teams have scored more than seven points on Woodland Hills -- and one of them is defending WPIAL champion Bethel Park. The Black Hawks and Woodland Hills played a tight game earlier this season, with Woodland Hills pulling out a 21-17 win.

Bethel Park has a balanced offense with the running of Bre Ford and the passing of quarterback Matt Bliss.

"We have to work on our pass defense. Their quarterback was very evasive last time," Novak said.

Surprising North Hills (6-5) takes on No. 1-seeded Gateway (11-0) in the other semifinal at 7:30 p.m. today at Fox Chapel.

Not many thought North Hills would get by North Allegheny in the quarterfinals last week, and fewer gave North Hills a chance against McKeesport in the first round.

North Hills finished the regular season with a 4-5 mark and did not beat a team with a winning record.

"We thought McKeesport, talent-wise, was the second-best team in the tournament," said North Hills coach Jack McCurry said.

"Just talent-wise. But Gateway is head and shoulders above everyone, including us."

McCurry has been blunt with his players about facing Gateway, the Post-Gazette's No. 1-ranked Class AAAA team and No. 3 in the state.

"You can't sugarcoat it to the kids because they watch the films. They know," McCurry said. "We tell them it's a mismatch in talent. But, if you play efficiently, don't turn it over and get a break or two ... "

North Hills has not had a turnover in the playoffs and only six penalties in two games. The Indians are trying to become only the second team in WPIAL history to finish the regular season with a losing record and then play its way to the WPIAL championship game. The other was West Mifflin in Class AAA in 2004.

"We have nothing to lose," McCurry said.

"Everyone expects us to lose, and we might. But we're here. You just go play to the best of your ability, and if you get a couple breaks here or there, who knows what could happen?"

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