Umatilla’s Derek Baker gets a couple of yards with Gold Beach’s Justin Turnow in pursuit in the first half of their playoff game in Coos Bay on Saturday. The Panthers face Regis this weekend in the Class 3A semifinals. World Photo by Lou Sennick.

Last year, the toughest playoff game on the road to the state title for Gold Beach’s football team was a second-round matchup against Regis.

The Panthers and Rams meet again this weekend, playing Saturday at Cottage Grove High School for a spot in the championship game.

Gold Beach coach Kevin Swift expects another tough battle.

“Regis is a dangerous ballclub and they always will be,” Swift said. “They have a long winning tradition and that helps. They go on the field each weekend expecting to win.”

The Rams have a potent offense, led by quarterback Dylan Bochsler, running back Jason Gower and receiver Derek Piete.

“They look solid on film,” Swift said. “They have good skill kids that concern me.”

The Panthers are coming off their worst defensive performance of the season in their 50-37 quarterfinal win over Umatilla.

“Hopefully we’ve corrected our defensive errors,” Swift said. “We’ve had a good first two days of practice this week.”

Gold Beach strong safety Garett Wolford expects a better performance by the defense.

“We need to stay disciplined and keep our positions instead of over-pursuing,” Wolford said, referring to the Panthers’ problem against Umatilla.

Regis coach Kyle Fessler said having an experienced quarterback in Bochsler is valuable for his club.

“It gives him a lot of freedom to change things up at the line,” Fessler said. “A lot of our calls are based on the defense. It gives us a lot of options.”

Regis has scored at least 30 points seven straight weeks. Gower and Piete have led the charge, with Bochsler adding scores both with his arm and his legs. Last week, Gower had three scores in a quarterfinal win over Willamina. Piete, meanwhile, has scored offensive touchdowns running and receiving, defensive touchdowns on interceptions and return touchdowns, and also is the team’s kicker.

As good as Regis has been on offense, the Rams have been even better when the opposition has the ball. The past five weeks, they haven’t allowed more than a touchdown to any opponent. The only score in the first two playoff games was an interception return by Bandon in an opening-round win by the Rams.

“Our defense has definitely played a lot better,” Fessler said. “They’ve become more disciplined all year, and that helps us out a lot.”

The team leaders on defense are Gower and Bochsler at linebacker, Piete at defensive back and Wes Buck at nose guard.

But Regis hasn’t seen an offense like Gold Beach, with its physical line and talented backfield of quarterback Jeffrey Knox, fullback Travis Moore and running back Wolford.

“We continue to get better,” Swift said.

In last week’s win over Umatilla, Swift said Knox was not playing at his top level, but the four-year quarterback still ran for well over 200 yards, while Moore almost had 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Wolford also was over 100 yards.

“Gold Beach likes to do one thing and that’s it,” Fessler said of the Panthers, and their preference for running the ball. “If you shut them down, you should keep them corralled. You have to be disciplined on every play.”

Fessler said his team is hungry for a win over the Panthers after last year’s playoff loss, the only defeat for Regis all season.

“There are a lot of kids who were starters on that team and they’re definitely coming in with a different attitude this year.”

Regis led briefly during last year’s game, which Gold Beach eventually won 20-7. The Rams missed a couple of chances to score with turnovers inside Gold Beach’s 5-yard line and also allowed a few big plays by the Panthers, including a 78-yard run by Herbie Smith for the final score of the game.

“A couple plays changed the game,” Fessler said.

“We had some missed opportunities inside the red zone. We’re going to have to play mistake-free in the red zone and again play good defense.”

Gold Beach, meanwhile, will look for another solid team effort, one that likely will be necessary.

“I think they’re going to be a really good team — probably the best team we’ve faced,” Wolford said.

Saturday’s game is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students.