Since the inception of the New York State Public High School Association football playoffs in 1993, Delhi has won four sectional titles and one state championship in 2001. Groton has won neither. The Tompkins County six, in fact, have three sectional titles and zero state titles in that 16-year span.

So when Groton and Delhi take to Binghamton Alumni Stadium at 4 p.m. Saturday for the Section 4 Class D championship, there will be more on the line for the Indians than a title. There will be history at stake.

"It should be a pretty good matchup," said Bainbridge-Guilford coach Tim Mattingly, whose team lost to Delhi, 7-0, in Week 8 and Groton, 28-14, in last week's Class D semifinal. "I think you're looking at size versus speed."

The game is a rematch of last year's Class D semifinal won by Groton, 33-14.

The winner will play in a state regional final, against the Section 3 champion, at 5 p.m. on Nov. 13 at Union-Endicott's Ty Cobb Stadium.

To secure its first state playoff appearance, Groton will need a balanced offensive attack similar to the one it used to eliminate the Bobcats.

Quarterback Josh Senter completed seven of 14 passes to five receivers for 153 yards -- an average of 21.9 yards per completion -- and three touchdowns last week. The backfield trio of Ethan Tilebein (18 rushes, 70 yards), Kyle Reed (12-78, TD) and Sam Wright (8-26) did well enough to keep the Bobcats packing the box with eight and nine defenders, setting the stage for Senter to showcase his accurate arm.

Athletic receivers Nick Conway and Isiah Young both caught touchdown passes, and have combined for six scores this year.

"I would not want to be an opposing coach trying to defend our team," Groton coach Jeff Lewis said. "There's so many weapons on our team, obviously I feel confident in the way we play the game."

Every one of those weapons will be needed against a 9-0 Delhi team ranked No. 3 in the latest Class D New York State Sports Writers Association poll. Groton is ranked No. 11.

The Bulldogs' strength is a powerful defensive unit built to control the line of scrimmage and snuff out the run. Opponents averaged 5.4 points per game against Delhi, which posted four shutouts. In the last five games, Delhi has allowed just nine points.

Reed and his teammates watched Delhi's 20-3 semifinal victory over Tioga, and saw some things they feel they can attack.

"They're big, they're powerful, but we found some weaknesses and we're going to try and exploit those," he said.

Not to be overlooked is Groton's defense, which has allowed only 14 first-half points in nine games. Last week's unit received contributions from everybody, with defensive end Greg Murray knocking down a pass, Wright notching a sack and linebackers Tilebein and Reed shedding blocks to bring down ball-carriers.

A four-down stand deep in its territory in the third quarter turned the tide in Groton's favor last week.

"They just brought people," Mattingly said. "They blitzed their linebackers. They were a very aggressive, quick defense."

Delhi boasts a power run game led by a pair of 210-pound-plus backs Jack Fletcher and Rich Ennist, who've combined for 1,573 yards and 16 touchdowns. Two-way lineman Marty Cole (6-foot-2, 295 pounds) and junior Will Effner (6-3, 270) provide coach Dave Kelly with bulk up front.

Two years ago, Groton lost to Deposit in the Class D semifinals. Last year, Walton eliminated the Indians in the championship game, 32-7.

This year, the Indians feel they're ready to take the next step. The history book awaits.