For the first time in program history, the Derry Area Trojans stood atop the podium as WPIAL team champs. The Trojans left no doubt in their golden performance, overmatching back-to-back defending champion Burrell 37-13 to win the WPIAL Class 2A Championship on Saturday at Peters Township High School.

“We knew it was something we wanted to check off the list,” detailed Trojans head coach Troy Dolan. “The guys worked all year for it. To come see their hard work pay off and be rewarded for it, it was awesome.”

In the process, the Trojans (13-0) redeemed last year’s loss to the Buccaneers in the title round.

Although the top-seeded Buccaneers briefly held the lead, the No. 2 Trojans won the final six matches to prevail convincingly. That surge began at 160 pounds, when Derry Area’s Ewan Olson notched a 10-1 major decision. Mason Horwat followed with a pinfall, while Brady Brown garnered a bonus point at 189 pounds with another major decision, 17-8. Ty Blasko and Justin Papuga followed with decisions for the Trojans, while Mason Keesecker’s technical fall at 107 put the icing on the cake for Derry Area.

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With the match commencing at 114 pounds, the Trojans gained the upper hand early, as Patrick Bulger and Matthew Fernell claimed a tech fall and major decision, respectively, to put Derry Area ahead 9-0. Burrell (15-3) had a quick response, though, when Cameron Baker and Jacob Stewart won via decisions at 127 and 133, respectively. Michael McNeal answered with a decision for the Trojans to push the lead to 12-6, but Julian Bertucci responded with a decision for the Bucs, and teammate Liam Jones followed with a major decision to give Burrell the narrow advantage, 13-12.

Earlier in the day in the semifinals, the Trojans blasted McGuffey 48-16, while Burrell edged Laurel 39-36.

All four teams move on to the PIAA Class 2A bracket, as the Trojans host District 6 runner-up Penns Valley on Tuesday at 6 p.m., while the Buccaneers travel to face District 5 Champion Chestnut Ridge on Tuesday at 7 p.m.