Word travels fast these days, because amidst the postgame celebration, Bryan Berens already knew what (and who) was coming. He was smiling and bouncing up and down.

The state semifinals (and Chandler Hamilton).

But that’s two weeks away, and the fourth-seeded Broncos (10-2) wanted a little time to enjoy their 42-21 victory against No. 5 seed Tempe Corona del Sol at Phoenix College.

Still, with a second trip to the 5A Division I semifinals in three years clinched, it was hard not to look ahead, especially since the Broncos were dealt a 29-6 loss to Hamilton in late August.

“I’m excited,” said Berens, the senior quarterback who was nearly flawless Friday night. “I’m excited.”

The Broncos’ season featured some major growing pains and key injuries along the way, but they stuck to their strengths — the offensive line and the defense — as they pulled away from the Aztecs with a 21-point fourth quarter.

Playing without running back Ray Polk (concussion), Berens and Sean Lieb connected on slants and fly patterns to the tune of 201 yards and two touchdowns.

On the other side, the Broncos defense returned two Corona mistakes for touchdowns.

“I’m so proud of them,” Broncos coach Scooter Molander said of his defense.

As expected, it was a dead heat for three quarters, as penalties and a couple turnovers of their own prevented Brophy from separating itself. Tied 14-14 at halftime, Kirby Pellant’s halfback pass to Eric Benson set up a J.R. Hamm touchdown run to pull Corona within 28-21 early in the fourth quarter.

The Aztecs had a potential interception bounce off their hands near their own goal line, but couldn’t make the play, and the Broncos scored on the next play.

Billy Sanders made a juggling one-handed interception of a Nick Aldini pass, and Adam Holzmeister finished the game with a 23-yard kickoff return late.

“That’s high school football,” Corona coach Gary Venturo said. “We made the turnovers. We didn’t make the plays.”

It was a different postgame reaction for Corona, because the Aztecs had won nine consecutive games and the Central Region title to get this far.