The defense will continue for Robinson.

The Rams' 24-13 win over visiting Centreville Friday night in a Northern Region semifinal kept alive the defending Group AAA, Division 6 state champions' drive to further crowd an already overstuffed trophy case.

The win advances No. 1 Robinson (11-0) to Saturday's 1 p.m. region final against No. 4 Oakton, which defeated No. 2 Westfield in another semifinal.

Robinson and No. 3 Centreville (9-2) met in the last two region finals and Friday's semifinal matchup was their first at Robinson since the Wildcats won the region there in 2000. The group of Robinson seniors that played in that game was determined to erase that painful memory and end Centreville's season.

``We just said that we needed to pay [Centreville] back for two years ago on our home field," senior tight end John Kinzer said. ``That was pretty much the theme of the game."

Fittingly, it was that group of veteran Rams that keyed another playoff victory and extended their winning streak to 17 games. It seemed that in every clutch situation Friday, a senior was there to keep Robinson afloat.

Early on, however, the Wildcats offense moved the ball with success, a feat few managed this season against Robinson's vaunted defense. Centreville blended the pass with the run and capped its second drive with junior running back Daniel Bailey's 4-yard touchdown run on a reverse.

However, the Wildcats' offensive success and 7-0 lead was short-lived. Centreville failed to move the ball consistently again until late in the fourth quarter.

``I think a lot was more we caught them by surprise early by throwing the ball a little bit," Centreville coach Mike Skinner said. ``But we couldn't hang with them. They made too many plays."

Robinson answered the Wildcats score quickly. After calf cramps briefly forced him to the bench, senior running back Chase Anastasio returned to score on a beautifully executed, 49-yard screen pass. Anastasio ran untouched down the near sideline with a trio of blockers leading the way and the score allowed Robinson to enter intermission ahead, 10-7.

Centreville shockingly executed and recovered an onside kick to start the second half, grabbing back the game's momentum. After driving the ball inside the Rams 5-yard line, Bailey was stopped just short of the goal line on third down and a fumbled snap on fourth down deflated the Wildcats as quickly as the recovered onside kick bolstered them.

``When it's 4th-and-1, you've got to score," Skinner said. ``I could have kicked the field goal, but we're not going to stop [Robinson]. We needed seven [points] and when you're on that half-yard line you've got to stick it in."

The Rams took over and marched into Centreville territory before being forced to punt. Kinzer, who also serves as the Rams punter and kicker, handled a poor snap and placed a punt inside the Wildcats 5-yard line, turning a potentially damaging situation into a positive.

``That's something we go over everyday in practice, how to deal with a bad snap," Kinzer said. ``So it was instinctive to just pick it up and get it off."

Robinson senior defensive tackles Adam Fassnacht and Brent Jones began to make an impact in the second quarter and continued their strong play after halftime. Fassnacht, the 2001 Journal Defensive Player of the Year, sacked Mellies (11-for-26 passing, 104 yards) on one occasion and pressured him on countless others. That pressure forced a third-down incompletion early in the fourth quarter and the Wildcats ensuing punt went just 6 yards.

Rams junior running back Mike Anderson ran off right tackle on the next play and scampered 32 yards for a touchdown, increasing their advantage to 17-7 with 9 minutes, 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Centreville cut into the lead on Mellies' 15-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Stephen Tate with 2:49 left.

But Rams senior linebacker Blake Shubert recovered the ensuing onside kick and Robinson marched 52 yards in 56 seconds for the game-sealing score, a 3-yard blast by senior fullback Danny Adams.

Robinson's senior nucleus, many of whom have been on varsity since their freshman season, spurred the Rams to their third straight region final and fourth in six years. Friday's win over Centreville improved their record over the last four seasons to 42-5.

``When we need a play, I'm going to go the guys that have been in the pressure situations and they're not going to give up very easily," Robinson coach Mark Bendorf said of his seniors. ``I'm going to put it in their hands."