LAPLACE — St. Charles Catholic is trying to accomplish what no other team in Louisiana has been able to do in 2017 — defeat University High.

With a spot in the Division II select championship game on the line, the Comets (9-2) have a monumental task ahead of them on the road this Friday against the Cubs (11-0).

“No one has been within 19 points of them, and they have played Catholic High and Zachary, who are still in the playoffs,” SCC coach Frank Monica said. “We know what the challenge is because we scrimmage them each year.”

The challenge begins with the U-High defense, which has allowed more than 10 points only three times this season and pitched shutouts in three of its last five games.

According to Monica, at least five U-High defenders are ticketed for major college football, including a 6-1, 220-pound linebacker and 6-1, 230-pound cornerback.

“The NFL doesn’t even have that,” Monica said. “For us, he might be a nose guard. They have those kinds of people all over the field.

“It’s not like it is something (in scheme) you haven’t seen before. They are awfully fast and physical. They never widen their feet. They always seem to be in the right spot. Coach (Chad) Mahaffey has done a phenomenal job with them. There will be 10 college prospects on that field playing against us on Friday.”

Thankfully for Comets fans, SCC packs plenty of talent and determination when St. Charles Catholic hits the road.

The Comets showed no signs of rust last week, coming off a bye in Week 1 of the playoffs and defeating St. Louis by a 32-point margin.

Healthy and in the lineup for one of the first times together last week, SCC was led offensively by playmakers Lloyd Nash at quarterback and running back Narquez Jones (107 yards).

“We held onto the ball, and Nash’s presence was important,” Monica said. “We only threw it five times, but he got us in the right play at the line of scrimmage and the kids have a lot of confidence in him when he is there.

“Our offensive line took over the line of scrimmage and our defense was able to turn it loose. We had a couple of hiccups that we need to correct, but when you can play three phases like we did, you are hard to beat.”

University High seems primed for the battle, as Cubs running back Mike Hollins ran for 157 yards and three touchdowns last week, while quarterback John McKernon completed 19 of 25 passes for 255 yards through the air.

“You can have people at the point of attack and they will make you miss,” Monica said. “They have a lot of big-play potential.”