Tripoli knows the drill.

For the 11th time in 12 years, the Panthers have qualified for state. In each of their previous appearances, they advanced to the finals. Eight times, they’ve taken home the title.

Odds are, they’ll do it again.

Five starters return from last year’s championship team, including sophomore Megan Gilbert — the latest in a long line of Tripoli stars. The Panthers have four losses this season, none to 1A competition.

Who can stop them? Well, Don Bosco is in the same conference (Iowa Star) and has played them close twice. The Dons have a difficult first-round test against LeMars Gehlen, with the winner likely facing Tripoli in the semifinals.

Schaller-Crestland resides on the other half of the bracket. The Wildcats bring back four starters from a team that qualified last year. Treynor is young and dangerous.

But when the dust clears on the final match Saturday, we see a familiar scene. A reign of orange.

PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Treynor over Southern Cal in 4; Schaller-Crestland over New London in 4; Don Bosco over LeMars Gehlen in 5; Tripoli over Grandview Park Baptist in 3.

Semifinals

Treynor over Schaller-Crestland in 5; Tripoli over Don Bosco in 4.

Championship

Tripoli over Treynor in 4.