RESERVE — Notre Dame has given up more than seven points in a football game only once this season. Riverside Academy scored 62 points last week.

It appears one of those will have to give this Friday when the Rebels (5-4) travel to Crowley to take on the undefeated Pios. Standing at 10-0 , Notre Dame is coming off a 45-0 drubbing of Episcopal and looks as strong as any team in Louisiana heading into this battle of Select School playoff semifinalists.

“The Notre Dame defense is as good and as consistent as it gets,” RA coach Chris Lachney said. “The numbers they put up are mind boggling and get people’s attention. We have to focus on ourselves, our execution and try not to let them dictate the terms too much. We have to see if we can make them a little uncomfortable. That’s easier said then done, but I’m up for the challenge and our players are too.”

Friday’s winner advances to the state championship and a date in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

It’s an exciting time for Rebels players and coaches, an opportunity the football program has earned for the past several years.

The Pios are led on offense by running backs Waylon Bourgeois and Collin Kirsch, as well as wide receiver Gentry Borill.

Despite averaging 43 points per game, Notre Dame’s defense remains its most significant attribute.

Lachney was hesitant this week to list the squad’s best player, seriously stating all 11 starters qualify as game changers before noting linebacker Cameron Nelson and defensive lineman Hayden Adams consistently make plays.

Notre Dame represents a serious challenge; however, no team seems to shine through challenge and chaos quite like Riverside Academy.

The Rebels’ second round playoff game last week was moved to a new location when a power outage sent the original venue dark.

“I have a football team that kind of feeds off chaos,” Lachney said. “After everything we have been through this year, they feel normal when they are at the circus.”

RA responded last week with a 62-42 win, led in part by quarterback Jordan Loving, who finished with 358 yards passing and six touchdowns. Louis Cheneau ran 13 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns, while catching two passes for 36 yards and another score. Kash Foley led the Rebels with 12 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

“That just goes to show you once again that our kids are resilient and tough enough to weather any kind of storm,” Lachney said.