CRANBERRY TWP — Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic quarterback Adam Sharlow is happy to be an active participant in the postseason.

Being a spectator last season wasn't fun.

A knee injury in Week 8 forced Sharlow to miss the rest of the season as the Trojans went on to win their first-ever Class A WPIAL and PIAA titles.

Sharlow didn't miss any time this season, guiding an explosive offense that averages 47.1 points per game and helped North Catholic finish 9-0 and win its third straight Black Hills Conference title.

The top-seeded Trojans, who have won 24 consecutive games, will open the playoffs against 16th-seeded Avella at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stone Field in North Park.

Sharlow, who played in playoff games as a sophomore, loves the atmosphere.

“It's the crowd and the attention everyone has on the game,” Sharlow said. “There's no guarantee for next week.”

As a whole, North Catholic is much healthier this season.

That may make things tougher on the Eagles, who finished 5-4 and in fourth place in the Tri-County South Conference.

Avella is led by Nick Kusich, who has rushed for 1,013 yards and 12 scores this season.

Santino Paris is the Eagles' leading passer, having thrown for 1,240 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Trojans wide receiver Vashon Graham feels they are in a good spot.

“We're a lot healthier this year and that's a good thing because it helps us work as a unit better,” Graham said. “That helps against better teams like Old Forge.”

Avella rebounded from a 70-7 loss to Beth-Center by beating Carmichaels and West Greene to end the season.

In the loss to the Bulldogs, the Eagles allowed 398 rushing yards.

That plays into North Catholic's strengths.

The Trojans have rushed for 3,109 yards this season, including 1,110 yards from P.J. Fulmore and 1,005 from Jerome Turner.

North Catholic may not need to pass, but fielding a multi-dimensional attack will be important as the Trojans get deeper into the playoffs.

Sharlow has completed 64 percent (51-of-80) of his passes this season, thrown for 778 yards and two touchdowns.

The passing game took some time to get going.

Earlier in the season, North Catholic struggled with drops.

Graham, who leads the team in receiving with 266 yards on 14 catches, said it was a matter of putting time in.

Fulmore is the team's second-leading receiver with 216 yards on 16 catches.

“In practice, we do a lot of pass patterns,” Graham said. “The more times you do something, the more comfortable you'll be.”

Sharlow's hoping to take the first step back to the PIAA tournament schedule. He's eager to be a participant and not a spectator again.

“I wouldn't say I'm the most excited guy, but I'm anxious,” Sharlow said. “I'm ready to get out there.”