During a long season, a running back must endure the bruises and injuries that come with absorbing hits from an opposing defense.

Josiah Gray dealt with some nagging discomfort, stayed patient and diligent in his rehabilitation programs, and then, when called upon, hit his stride.

After working his way back from a hamstring issue and a sprained ankle, Gray took over as starting tailback at North Pocono when Joe Briskie was lost to an injured foot. He picked up steam in every game and is a valuable cog in the Trojans’ surge to 12 straight wins and a District 2 Class 4A championship.

On Friday, Gray will look to continue to have an impact as North Pocono (12-0) plays at District 1 champion Bishop Shanahan (8-4) at 7 p.m. in the PIAA Class 4A first round.

“As a running back, I know that I had to make an impact every time that I had an opportunity to carry the ball,” Gray said. “I had to make every carry as special as I could.”

After seeing limited action in his first two seasons, the three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and runs track, fought through summer camp while nursing that sore hamstring.

In the opener against Nanticoke Area, he made the most of his three carries and had a 4-yard run in the first quarter of a 56-0 win. The following week, in a 34-21 victory over Pittston Area, he and Briskie combined for 34 yards on six carries.

Gray dominated and showed off his breakaway ability in Week 3 against Wyoming Valley West, running for 122 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries.

Then, after running for 58 yards and a touchdown the following week against Wallenpaupack, he suffered an injury and did not see action in the next two weeks against Abington Heights or Dallas.

Easing his way back in against Valley View in Week 7, Gray was thrust into a priority assignment when Briskie suffered an injury. Gray carried the ball 11 times for 48 yards and scored two touchdowns in a convincing 42-10 win.

“That was weird because that was the week that I came back after my second sprained ankle,” Gray, 17, said. “I was like, ‘Oh boy,’ it was on me now. It was my time, and I had to do what I had to do to keep the team winning.”

The North Pocono running game continued to pound away at defenses behind a powerful line that includes Cole Zimmerman, Garret Gillette, Gabe Descipio, Warren Kramer and Dylan Caster.

In Week 8, Gray had 111 yards and two touchdowns against Scranton, and then he went for 90 yards and scored the deciding touchdown in overtime of a 28-21 win over Delaware Valley that clinched the LFC Division I championship the following week.

Then, he had 114 yards rushing on 21 carries as North Pocono wrapped up an undefeated regular season with a 24-21 win over Scranton Prep in Week 10.

“My confidence has always been there because of our line,” Gray said. “They make it easy to step into the lanes. The game started to slow down, and my cuts became more natural.”

Gray really hit his stride during the District 2 Class 4A playoffs. He ran for a season-high 195 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 42-21 win over Crestwood. Last week in the championship game, he carried the ball 28 times for 183 yards and a touchdown in a 38-6 win over Dallas.

“At first, it was frustrating for me because of how they were stacking the box,” Gray said. “Eventually, I started to break through. I didn’t even know I carried the ball that many times.”

Gray has 965 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns this season. He is excited about this opportunity to compete and experience the state playoffs.

“This group has been playing together for a few years, and this has been a long journey,” Gray said. “Most of us have been together, better and better, and we have built more chemistry. Winning the championship is a surreal feeling. We have been working for this. We were through our ups and downs, every one of us. We persevered through all of that to go 12-0.

“We can’t get too excited, and we have to stay calm and focused so we are not overwhelmed.”