Rarely do high school teams get a chance to avenge two regular season losses. A team has to improve enough to beat two teams that it couldn't beat in the regular season. And it has to be fortunate enough for both of those teams to show up on its playoff schedule.

With Parkland's 49-41 playoff win over Delaware Valley Saturday, the Trojans (11-2) have now beaten every team on their schedule, avenging early season losses to Easton and Delaware Valley by knocking those teams out of the District 2/4/11 subregional playoffs.

"That, to me, is the best thing that happened today," said Parkland head coach Jim Morgans. "We talked about that before the game. It's a great thing for the kids. That was definitely on their mind. I couldn't be prouder of them for accomplishing that goal."

Parkland lost to Delaware Valley in both teams' season opener and followed it with a loss to Easton. The Trojans haven't lost since.

They avenged the loss to the Red Rovers in the first round of district playoffs. They got back at the Warriors Saturday on their home field in Milford.

Parkland fell into an early hole in Saturday's first quarter, but its defense, despite giving up a lot of points, stopped the Warriors at pivotal times in the game, including on the final drive when Del Val seemed to have seized momentum.

The Warriors had a chance to tie the score late in the game. Quarterback Bryan Schor drove his team to two fourth quarter touchdowns to shrink a 22-point deficit down to 49-41 with more than half of the final quarter remaining.

Schor brought the offense out for his team's final drive with 1:21 left in the game. Starting at his own 22-yard line, he completed three passes to get across midfield. But Parkland's defense stopped the Warriors at the 39-yard line to seal the win.

"I'm glad that's the way it ended, with our defense on the field," said Morgans. "The reason we turned this season is around is because of what we've done defensively."

The Parkland defense allowed just one long drive in the first half, but the teams went to halftime tied 21-21 because the Warriors scored on a turnover and a big play near the end of the half.

After scoring on an interception return less than two minutes into the game, Delaware Valley went up 14-0 after putting together a 71-yard, 14-play drive that ate nearly seven minutes off the clock.

Parkland's offense had sputtered on its first two drives, but it got rolling on its next possession. The Trojans kept the ball on the ground for all 11 plays as Jarel Elder scampered in from six yards out with 8:57 left in the second quarter.

Parkland's defense forced three-and-outs on both of Delaware Valley's next two drives. In between, the Trojan offense added another score. A one-yard run by Eli Redmond that tied the score at 14-14 with 3:24 left in the first half.

The Warriors answered two possession later, scoring on a 53-yard touchdown pass.

"Plays are going to happen," said defensive lineman Shaun Heist. "Especially at this level. We knew we had to get them back with another big play."

Parkland responded with a four-play drive capped by Elder's 39-yard touchdown run, making it 21-21 before halftime.

The Warriors captured momentum by opening the second half with a six-play scoring drive, establishing their rushing attack for the first time in the game to take a 27-21 lead with 9:55 left in the third quarter.

Parkland went right back in front when Matt Costello picked up Delaware Valley's attempt at a squib kick and ran it 70 yards to pay dirt for a 28-27 lead, his team's first lead of the game.

Parkland ran off three more unanswered touchdowns in the second half. Quarterback Tim Baranek (18 carries, 103 yards) scored on a 17-yard run with 6:08 left in the third period. Redmond picked off a pass and went 32 yards for a score to make it 42-27 with 4:25 left in the third.

Elder, who ran 19 times for 228 yards, made his third trip to the end zone on Parkland's next possession. The senior broke a 91-yard run to put his team ahead 49-27 with 32 seconds left in the third quarter.

"It feels good to be able contribute," Elder said. "But it's not just one person. We lean on each other."

The Warriors wouldn't go down without a fight. They got a quick score on a four-play drive with 10:33 left in the game, then converted an onsides kick and turned that into a nine-play scoring drive to close the gap to 49-41 with 7:50 left.

"It was a flashback to Week One," said Elder. "They were driving down the field hitting pass after pass. We knew we had to make a stop. We knew we couldn't let what happened last time happen this time."

Parkland's offense got the ball back and made a couple first downs before giving the ball back. Delaware Valley, with momentum still on its side, started driving before Schor fumbled and Heist recovered with 3:04 left in the fourth.

Parkland managed one first down before turning the ball over on downs at the Warriors 22-yard line with 1:21 left.

Schor, a Miami of Ohio recruit who completed 17 of 30 passes with just one interception Saturday, had one last chance, but the Trojan defense would not let it happen. Schor threw for 247 yards, including five catches and 124 yards by senior receiver Lucas Markowitz, but it wasn't enough.

"Defensively we haven't let up that many points this whole season," said Elder. "We knew they were an explosive team offensively. We knew we just had to balance it out."

When the Trojans lost that season opener back in late August, few could have imagined there would be a rematch 12 weeks later. But given the opportunity, they got revenge and are now one of the final eight Class AAAA teams left in the state playoffs.

"We never knew for sure," said Heist. "But we definitely wanted [another shot at Delaware Valley]. This couldn't have turned out better."