Two of the best quarterbacks in the state, playing at the top of their games. Two proud programs that have progressed and improved throughout the season.

Football semifinal matchups don’t get much more enticing than the Class D South showdown between No. 3 Lisbon (6-2) and No. 2 Dirigo (7-2), scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Harlow Park in Dixfield.

Dirigo earned the edge to host the game in Week 4 with a 21-14 victory in Lisbon. The Cougars snapped a two-game losing skid and began their current six-game winning streak in the process.

Lisbon also enters the rematch on a roll, having won three consecutive games by margins of 19, 34 and 25 points. The Greyhounds have not allowed a touchdown prior to the fourth quarter of a game since a Week 6 loss to top-seeded Oak Hill.

Riley Robinson leads the Cougars, both at quarterback and in the secondary. The senior basketball standout has enjoyed his finest football season as the focal point of the Cougars’ offense, rushing for more than 1,000 yards while closing in on that number through the air.

The Greyhounds counter with Tyler Halls, who was been a model of efficiency down the stretch this season. He completed 14 of 17 for 209 yards in a valiant losing effort in the first game against Dirigo. In the opening round of the playoffs, Halls hit 6 of 7, including touchdown passes to Henry Adams and Kaleb Little, in a 33-8 rout of Boothbay.

Dirigo ousted Old Orchard Beach, 29-8, in the quarterfinals behind 177 yards from Robinson on the ground. A key for the Cougars is diversifying their attack, and they have done so in recent weeks with Cooper Chiasson, Vincent Hebert and Mike Casey all chalking up tough yards and thriving after contact.

Gavin Arsenault is Robinson’s favorite receiver, but his most substantial late-season contributions have come on defense. On the heels of three interceptions in a 29-20 win at Maranacook in the regular-season finale, Arsenault picked off another pass in the OOB victory.

Bryce Whittemore and Barry Campbell have been keys to the defensive front seven for Dirigo, which received 255 all-purpose yards from Robinson in the regular-season win over Lisbon.

Halls is a constant threat to run the option. Dirigo must also beware of Noah Francis, Henry Adams and Shawn Grover between the tackles.

Tyrese Joseph has emerged as Halls’ most consistent big-play receiving threat along with Adams. Defensively, Blake Berube, Tanton Mattson, Jared Glover, Kurtis Bolton, Joseph and Francis have been leading tacklers, with Halls posing problems for teams that wish to throw.

Dirigo aims for its third regional championship game berth in four years, while Lisbon looks to make back-to-back trips.

koakes@sunjournal.com

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