Nine Class 2A teams have tried this season and they have all failed to defeat Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's football team.

Serra Catholic is the next team up to give it a shot.

The Eagles (7-4) and Trojans (9-2) will square off in a WPIAL quarterfinal clash Friday at Hampton's Fridley Field.

While CWNC has enjoyed recent success, Serra is still warming itself next to the fires of the district playoffs. The Eagles won the WPIAL Class A title in 2007, but the program fell to the doldrums from 2010-15, winning just 10 total games in that span. Serra made the WPIAL playoffs last season, but made a quick exit with a loss to Neshannock.

The Eagles have guaranteed themselves the program's first winning record since 2009.

“We're excited about the season so far,” said Serra coach Jose Regus. “We put a lot of hard work and commitment into it. We are one of the smallest Class AA teams in the WPIAL, going up against a lot of teams with more numbers.

“Cardinal Wuerl looks like a sound team. They can run and pass and are very solid on defense.”

“You watch film of them and they are very consistent with what they do,” said Trojan coach Patrick O'Shea of the Eagles. “Offensively, they look a lot like us, can spread you out and are pretty balanced.”

Serra defeated Beth-Center in the first round last week, 27-20.

Eagles' senior quarterback Evan Honick passed for 228 yards and four touchdowns, including a 30-yard strike to JaQuae Jackson in the fourth quarter in the victory.

For the season, Honick has thrown for over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns while Jackson has 51 catches for 925 yards.

“He (Jackson) has great hands, speed and is very athletic,” said Regus. “He's a guy you have to double team and most teams have.”

Khalil Smith leads the Eagles' ground game with over 800 yards and has scored 10 touchdowns.

“They look like a confident team and they have a lot of athletes, it just took them a while to get them in the right places,” said O'Shea.

But the Trojans' defense has itself progressed during the course of the season. The unit gave up just 138 yards in last week's 35-7 handling of Brentwood.

Sophomore Nikhai Hill-Green (6-foot, 182 pounds) starts at inside linebacker for the Trojans. Offensively, he splits time between tight end and slot receiver. His play on both sides of the ball has been invaluable.

“He's so mature for his age,” said O'Shea. “No matter what we put in, he's able to pick up on it because he's a student of the game and is always watching film. He's also extremely unselfish and just wants to win.”

CWNC's special teams include kicker Max Kunzman, punter Joe Meinert, Seth Benson at long snapper and Ryan Maziarz as the holder.

“Seth is our starting center, but is being recruited as a long snapper,” O'Shea said. “Our special teams have been absolutely fantastic. Our top two tacklers on special teams are both sophomores, Alex Dudash and Vinny Pindell. Alex is involved in 75 percent of tackles on returns.”

The Trojans and Eagles have played two common opponents this year. While CWNC defeated Brentwood, Serra fell to the Spartans, 33-13, in Week 1. Both squads defeated Avonworth, the Eagles by a 16-10 score and the Trojans by a 42-21 final.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The survivor will face either Washington (10-0) or East Allegheny (7-3) in the semifinals.