FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE—St. Thomas Aquinas defensive linemen Dion Patterson, left, and Brandon Black (74) face their stiffest challenge of the season trying to stop No. 1 John Curtis’ vaunted veer offense Friday when the Falcons face the Patriots in the Class 2A quarterfinals at Joe Yenni Stadium in Metairie. By John Lenz

When St. Thomas Aquinas travels to Metairie to play John Curtis in the Class 2A quarterfinals Friday night, one team will look to make history while the other can keep a run at history alive.

With a victory over the No. 1 seeded Patriots, No. 8 St. Thomas can advance to the semifinals for the first time ever. The Falcons (11-0) also made quarterfinal appearances in 1999 and 2000, losing to Iota and Riverside, respectively.

John Curtis, on the other hand, can take another step closer to an unprecedented fifth straight state title. The Patriots (10-1), who have won 22 titles overall, also won four straight from 1996-99. Evangel, Ferriday and Haynesville are the other programs with four straight championships.

But St. Thomas head coach John White knows he cannot let history affect his team's thinking going into the game scheduled for 7 p.m. at East Jefferson's Joe Yenni Stadium.

"Every day at practice, we talk about beating this football team and how we're going to beat this football team," White said. "That's what we tell our football players and they are excited about it.

“We talk about certain adjustments we have to make offensively and defensively and special teams. A lot of people forget about special teams and that's what Curtis is especially good at. We've been working on that. We preach and talk to these kids about beating them and they are ready. They've been ready for this game since a couple of weeks ago when they saw the bracket."

Both teams are coming off convincing wins in the regionals. St. Thomas shut out No. 9 Homer 28-0, while Curtis routed No. 16 University 49-14.

The Falcons held Homer to 80 yards in recording their second shutout of the season. St. Thomas converted two turnovers into touchdowns and held Homer at the Falcons’ 12 in the first half.

"Our defense has played good all year long," White said of a squad that is allowing an average of 15.9 points per game. "If you get caught looking at scores, you would say, man, St. Thomas' defense has given up a lot of points. That's not the case. We've been very fortunate this year to blow a lot of teams out and play a lot of guys on the field and when that happens, sometimes you will give up a lot of points. But our defense has been solid all year. When we needed them they came through all year."

White said that will have to be true again Friday night as the Falcons play the best defense they have faced all season. Curtis is allowing 12.2 points per game and gave up more than 20 points just three times. One of those was in a 28-12 loss at Trinity, Texas, in the season opener. The Patriots have reeled off 11 straight wins since then.

Curtis allowed 131 yards against University, 12 on the ground, while forcing five turnovers. The defense is led by the front seven which features juniors Walker Ashburn, Dex Thibodeaux and seniors Mike Henry and Matt Stansbury.

"They are physical, strong and have perfect technique," White said of the Patriots' 50 defense. "Their front 7 will be the best defense we have faced all year, without a doubt. Nothing against the other teams, but their front seven is tough. But we have some things to attack them with."

They include senior QB Raymone Andrews, who passed for 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns during the regular season. Andrews added 56 yards and a touchdown passing and 36 yards and two scores running the ball last week. Ryan Gambel has caught 25 passes for 491 yards and and was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass against Homer.

Blake Brooks added 18 catches for 437 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season. Josh Reed is the team's leading rusher with 1,014 yards and 15 TDs, but Brandon Loria led the way Friday with 44 yards on 15 carries.

Curtis will counter with a veer offense that is averaging more 38 points per game, with only Trinity and St. James keeping the Patriots under 20 points. Kenny Cain had a team-high 612 yards and five TDs during the regular season. Evan Ingram added 412 yards and six TDs through the air and scored 10 touchdowns overall. The Patriots' strength may be a line led by returning guards Shane Conrady and George Alonzo.

"They run the inside veer, the outside veer and they have a couple of gadgets in that offense too," White said. "But they are just so strong up front. Their offensive and defensive lines are the strengths of their football team."

Special teams become more important as teams get deeper into the playoffs, White noted. He said the Falcons' kickoff and punt coverage has gotten better each week with kicker Cullen Hughes improving his distance and placement. That could be a key as St. Thomas tries to contain Curtis returner Jonathan McKnight.

White knows his team will have to be flawless in every aspect of the game for it to end Curtis' run at history.

"We can't make any mistakes," White said. "We have to play perfect. Twenty-two state championships speak for themselves. They are big, they are strong, they are well-coached. We play a real good football team Friday.

“But we're excited about the opportunity to play. We have to play our best and hope the ball and everything goes our way."

Joe Yenni Stadium is located just off of Clearview Parkway, south from I-10 but just north of Airline Drive (U.S. 61).