Come Thursday, King Philip is hoping the third time’s the charm.

King Philip will look to defend its Division 2 Super Bowl crown when it takes on No. 1 Catholic Memorial for the third time in four seasons Thursday at 8 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.

It will be the seventh time in eight years that the Warriors play for the championship. They are in pursuit of their fourth Super Bowl during that span. Catholic Memorial, meanwhile, is looking to capture its third championship since 2021.

“One of the things I am most proud of is how our kids avoid complacency, and continue to strive to get there and win Super Bowls,” King Philip coach Brian Lee said. “We’re lucky to have kids who do the hard work necessary to put themselves in this position.”

King Philip fans have seen this matchup before. In 2021 and 2022, Catholic Memorial defeated the Warriors in consecutive Super Bowls. The first time around, the Warriors trailed by 10 early in the fourth quarter only to see Catholic Memorial run away late for a 42-18 victory. Then, a year later, CM clung to a 14-7 advantage at halftime only to shut out the Warriors in the second half and cruise to a 27-7 win.

The Warriors are hoping this time will be different.

Leading the charge is an attack that consists of four running backs: Tallan King, Drew Laplante, Aiden Astorino, and Keigan Canto-Osorio. King and Laplante get the majority of the carries. Astorino has seen a smaller workload than previous years so as to maximize his performance at linebacker. The four have combined for 43 rushing touchdowns.

King Philip’s Tallan King celebrates a touchdown during a game at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional. King Philip will face CM for the Div. 2 state title Thursday. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)

King Philip (12-0) is spearheaded up front by a strong offensive line made up of Drew Hurlen, Nate Crisci, Hayden Lions, Liam King and Nick Gallagher. Zachary Gebhard is an accurate passer and has Tommy Kilroy, Ryan Greenwood and Hayden Schmitz as reliable options.

“More or less we know King Philip is going to be well disciplined and fundamentally sound,” Catholic Memorial coach John DiBiaso said. “We have to be careful not to get sucked into their play action game, which is what they throw the ball out of for the most part.”

Marshfield coach Chris Arouca is deeply familiar with both programs, having played the Warriors in each of the last three postseasons and defeating the Knights in the Division 2 semifinals a year ago.

“Both teams have three or four guys that can beat you with a big play,” Arouca said. “What’s more fascinating is both teams don’t seem to care what yard line they start. King Philip can average five yards a carry with anyone, and CM is ready to break free at any time.”

The face of Catholic Memorial’s attack is Mekhi Dodd, who may be the top running back in Massachusetts. Alongside Dodd in the backfield is veteran Lasean Sharpe.

The passing attack is guided by junior quarterback Kise Flannery, who is dangerous with his right arm and legs. When DiBiasio looks to stretch the field he has wide receivers Gavin Brown and Michael Hegarty to call on.

Defensively, David Timson and Liam Conlon are standout linebackers. Brown, Jackson Tucker and Jaiden Johnson man the secondary.

Division 2 state championship

Catholic Memorial vs. King Philip

Thursday,8 p.m. at Gillette Stadium

Catholic Memorial Knights (11-1)

Head coach John DiBiaso

Cardinal Hayes 36, Catholic Memorial 29

Catholic Memorial 14, St, Francis 0 (forfeit)

Catholic Memorial 56, Leominster 28

Catholic Memorial 51, New Bedford 0

Catholic Memorial 40, Xaverian 37

Catholic Memorial 41, St. John’s (S) 7

Catholic Memorial 34, St. John’s Prep 0

Catholic Memorial 48, Malden Catholic 0

Catholic Memorial 32, Quincy 0

Catholic Memorial 48, Bridge.-Raynham 14

Catholic Memorial 49, Wellesley 7

Catholic Memorial 31, BC High 19

King Philip Warriors (12-0)

Head coach: Brian Lee

King Philip 42, Walpole 14

King Philip 40, Marblehead 13

King Philip 28, Norwood 7

King Philip 21, Foxboro 6

King Philip 50, Sharon 0

King Philip 35, Taunton 9

King Philip 41, Milford 7

King Philip 35, Attleboro 0

King Philip 40, Arlington 0

King Philip 42, Barnstable 20

King Philip 34, Marshfield 15

King Philip 27, Franklin 21

State championship history

These teams are no strangers, having met in the championship in 2021 and 2022 with Catholic Memorial winning both meetings. The Knights are 4-3 in their championship history, while King Philip is 3-3 overall. The Warriors are the defending Div. 2 state champions having defeated Marshfield 42-14 as Tommy McLeish threw for three touchdowns and Tallan King accounted for three more scores.

Danny V’s outlook

King Philip is hoping that the third time is the charm having lost to Catholic Memorial twice in the last three years on this stage. There is no question the talented Knights have used last year’s semifinal loss to Marshfield as motivation.

Pick: Catholic Memorial