CRANBERRY TWP — Defensive lineman Jake Sauder feels better after the Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic football team got through with its first playoff game.

The defense did its job, limiting Avella to 158 yards of total offense. Now, the Trojans can focus on bigger things.

“It took a couple of series to sink in, but once we locked them down we ran fast and hit hard,” Sauder said. “Everyone did their job well. It was good to get a positive result and get the jitters out. We're ready and focused for our next opponent.”

Top-seeded North Catholic will play ninth-seeded South Side Beaver in a Class A WPIAL quarterfinal at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Geneva College.

The top-seeded Trojans, who are 10-0 and winners of 26 straight, may have to do it without their second leading rusher, senior running back Jerome Turner.

Turner, who has rushed for 1,028 yards and 22 touchdowns, injured his back during the first quarter of North Catholic's 69-13 win over Avella.

Trojans coach Bob Ravenstahl said Turner is “tentatively” out. He also believes that North Catholic will be able to find someone to fill his spot.

The Trojans did it last year, moving P.J. Fulmore to quarterback when they lost quarterback Adam Sharlow midway through the season with a knee injury.

“I think it's experience. That's something you can't teach,” Ravenstahl said. “Most of these seniors have been playing together for three years and know each other. They know when one guy goes down, the next guy has to step in and fill their role.

“That's a testament to the kids and the coaching staff, honestly.”

Sophomore Mario Latronica will be the next man up.

Latronica has rushed for 659 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“Mario is fast as lightning,” senior offensive lineman Joe Sadler said. “He has good vision. He reads the blocks well and makes cuts downfield.”

Sauder, who transferred from North Allegheny, wasn't a part of the title team, but knows this group can improvise if necessary.

“We're a big family, so when someone's missing that's definitely noticed,” Sauder said. “Everyone is working hard and there's a lot of talent on this team. When someone go down, we rally around each other.”

Upstart South Side finished third in the Big Seven Conference and beat Frazier 26-12 in the first round.

Rams coach Glenn McDougal has engineered a big turnover during the second year of his second stint with South Side.

The Rams, who McDougal coached to WPIAL and state Class A titles in 1999, were 0-9 last season.

He's excited for the opportunity and has been there before.

In 1991, McDougal's South Side team upset No. 1 ranked Farrell in the WPIAL semifinals before losing to Rochester.

“I think no one outside our locker room gives us a chance to win (against North Catholic),” McDougal said. “It's a great opportunity. We put ourselves in this position and deserve the opportunity.”

The Rams offense is led by running back Nathan Block, who has rushed for 1,657 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.

North Catholic has only allowed opponents to score 10.4 points per game this season.

Sadler said the Trojans only focus is on advancing.

“That exactly how we see it,” Sadler said. “It's another game we have to play as we walk up the ladder. We game-plan week by week and don't look ahead.”