This is one in a series of articles previewing this weekend's high school football playoff games

Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's football team is carrying a boatload of momentum into the postseason.

After a non-conference loss to Central Valley in Week 3, the Trojans (8-2) reeled off six straight wins to close the regular season and were crowned Midwestern Conference champs with a perfect 7-0 record.

“From a confidence standpoint, it means a lot to go undefeated in the conference,” said CWNC coach Patrick O'Shea. “We're proud of it and the kids are excited about it.”

But the calendar has turned to November and regular-season accomplishments have given way to the urgency that comes with the WPIAL playoffs. The Trojans' first postseason test will come against Brentwood in a Class AA first-round game at the Mars Athletic Complex Friday night.

The Spartans (5-4) are coming off a 62-29 loss to defending WPIAL and state champion Steel Valley, but Brentwood had won three straight games before that. The team tied for fourth place in the Three Rivers Conference with Avonworth.

“We knew we'd get somebody good in the first round because we didn't finish too high,” said veteran Brentwood coach Kevin Kissel. “Steel Valley is really good and North Catholic is right at that level.”

The Trojans feature a very potent offense with Joe Meinert contributing in both the rushing and passing attacks. The senior halfback has rushed for over 900 yards, caught passes for over 400 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns.

“Joe is such a hard runner,” said O'Shea. “He's tough to bring down and can grind on a defense. He's also a great receiver and his underneath routes add another threat for us.”

CWNC sophomore quarterback Zack Rocco enters the playoffs with 2,013 yards through the air and 27 touchdown passes.

The Trojans' high-scoring attack is fueled by a more-than-capable offensive line, which includes center Seth Benson, guards Dom Prentice and Finnegan O'Shea and tackles John Prentice and Carson Primrose. Nikhai Hill-Green and Alex Michalski have split time at tight end.

“Overall, our line is young, but they have gotten better every week,” said Coach O'Shea. “Like the case is with our defense, the line's play is the reason we've been so successful.”

Brentwood is led by Austin Veatch, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior who does everything for the Spartans. Mainly, he is a wide receiver with 49 receptions for 829 yards. He's added 137 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns.

“We run him on some jet sweeps and even play some Wildcat with him at quarterback,” Kissel said. “He's the best player on our team.”

When the Spartans go conventional with their offense, senior quarterback Michael Trent has performed at a high level, passing for 1,748 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Trojans' starting defensive backfield features cornerbacks Rashod Allen, Tyree Brown and safeties Ryan Maziarz and Meinert. Cameron Branch is the nickel back.

Patrick O'Shea is confident his defense, under the guidance of coordinator Jay Bell, will be prepared for Brentwood's schemes.

“One of my goals was to put together a staff that can build off of each other,” said O'Shea, in his first year as head coach of the Trojans. “I have given him (Bell) total freedom to make adjustments not just with personnel, but also with coverages.”