More than once, Mike Williams has paid tribute to a time-honored adage:

Defense, the Baron boss will tell you, wins championships.

"We've proved that," he adds firmly.

Fifteen times, to be exact, at the highest level of district play.

Tonight at 7, Manheim Central will seek its sweet 16th. The No. 1-ranked Barons, 13-0 and district finalists for the second straight December, look to claim their first title since their 2005 three-peat when they face second seed Susquehanna Township (12-1) in the District Three Class AAA title game in Hersheypark Stadium.

The winner advances to next weekend's PIAA semifinals opposite either District 7 king West Allegheny (11-2) or Erie Cathedral Prep (11-2), champions of District 10.

"We want to keep going," longtime Baron defensive lieutenant John Brubaker said. "We're not ready to stop."

Indeed. They're having too much fun, especially on defense, where their swarming style suggests pillaging locusts, carrying away every vestige of an opponent's offense.

Just ask linebacker Lowen Johnson, who teams with fellow 'backers Joe Gruber, Dakota Royer, Brett Barber and Joe Brubaker in a new-look 3-4 rotation that has six shutouts to its credit, one less at this stage of the season than the Barons' '03 state title team.

"When we're on the sidelines, we can't wait to get back on the field," said Johnson, whose interest in pursuing a criminal justice major at West Chester University next fall befits a guy intent on practicing his own brand of frontier justice on ball-carriers.

"If there's a turnover, we're thinking, 'Let's get it back. Let's do this, boys.' "

The team leader in tackles (111) and the Section Two coaches' choice for Linebacker of the Year, Johnson was at practice this week wearing street clothes. He was fighting a flu, and spitting blood in the process.

But he'll suit up in maroon and silver tonight. He's a leader on a unit that seeks to slow a high-octane offense ignited by Mercury-quick QB Ben Dupree and further fueled by speed burners in running back Adrian Arp and receiver Tajh Turner.

It won't be easy.

The Indians are slick and quick and know how to trick. Just when you think you have him contained, Dupree, a Division I prospect, does a little shake-and-bake.

"And," Williams said with a hint of wonder in his voice, "goes 70 yards."

To pay dirt.

"Dupree's a playmaker and he has a great cast around him," said Brubaker. And his visitor could be excused if he didn't swear sparks were shooting from the defensive coordinator's dark eyes when he followed up with this:

"I'd put this defense right there with any we've ever had. These kids love playing defense, love the physical part of it."

Pad-popping, physical football has long been a Baron trademark. Sure, Central has fielded stars on offense, and this season is no exception. Gruber, Justin Gorman, Dan Trafford, Shaun Buller, Rob La Porte and Taylor Groff are L-L first team all-stars.

Still, Williams will tell you his teams have won with defense first, won because guys named Kreider and Parmer, Hunter and Mast hunkered down and drew a line in the dirt.

And when a guy has 300 career wins to his credit, a landmark number reached by Williams a week ago, you take him at his word.

While there's no overlooking the contributions of defensive stars like Trafford, John Fair, Eric Drake and Casey Ebersole, Brubaker acknowledged that the strength of the linebacker corps was a key reason for the offseason switch from their longstanding 4-4 scheme to a 3-4.

L-L coaches honored Central's 'backers this week by naming five of them to the all-star squad. Joe Headen understands why. He's been studying the Barons' balled-up fist of a defense on film. And the Susquehanna Township coach, a man not easily impressed, was just that.

"I can see why they have six shutouts," he told his caller. "Manheim causes a lot of teams problems. It's a tough defense. Our kids are looking forward to the challenge."

This matchup is intriguing the way a great fight is intriguing. The Barons, cast in the role of the body puncher, will seek to bang the speedy Indians around. Beat them up. Grind them down. Wear them out.

Dupree, Arp and Co. will try to avoid the punishing body blows by putting on the afterburners. How quick are they? When they're even, they're leavin'.

"Township has more speed, no doubt," said Cocalico coach Dave Gingrich, who game planned both teams this season. "But here's the thing: If you're used to holding your blocks for four or five seconds against a normal team, you better be ready to hold them for 10 seconds against Central. They get off their blocks, they flow to the football, and when they get there, they're in a bad mood."

By game's end tonight, Central is hoping to be in another kind of mood.

A celebratory one.