NATCHEZ — The Block High School football team had little trouble advancing to the second round of the LHSAA 1A playoffs last week.

The Bears beat Pointe Couppe Central 26-0 at home last Friday, but this week they will be forced to travel to Metairie, La. to face St. Martin’s Episcopal, who is unbeaten on the season.

“First of all, they are 10-0,” Block head coach Benny Vault said about his second-round opponent. “They are the No. 5 seed.”

Block also has an unbeaten streak of its own this season. The Bears have lost four games to teams in higher classifications this season, and they are undefeated against teams from Class 1A.

Vault said fans would see a contrast in styles Friday night, as Block’s speed goes up against the size and strength of St. Martin’s.

“Defensively they are big up front,” he said. “From what I can see on film there is not a lot of speed.”

Vault said that both teams run a two tight end double wing offense, but St. Martin’s will also switch to shotgun and try to spread the defense.

“They run their fullback trap well, so defensively we have been working with the middle of our defense. We don’t feel they are a real threat to beat us outside with sweeps.”

On offense the focus will be making sure the Bears’ offensive linemen are able to create space against St. Martin’s big defensive front, Vault said.

Vault said the fact that the game is on the road should not be a factor in the way his team prepares this week.

“We have been on big trips,” he said. “We’ve been to Bossier City, and that’s about the same distance, so we are prepared and know what we’re doing when we travel.”

Vault said the Bears are actually more relaxed this week than they were before their first-round game.

“This week we are actually taking it a little light,” he said. “We beat each other up last week. We are just going out now and focusing on the details. If we can’t block and tackle at this point we’re in trouble anyway. So, we are doing walk-throughs and getting our legs under us and healing up a little bit.”

Getting a win Friday, and advancing to the quarterfinals of the 1A Playoffs would be a huge step toward accomplishing the goals the Bears’ set at the beginning of the season, Vault said.

“It would be great, because we are trying to get down to the final eight,” he said. “We set a couple of goals starting out. We wanted to win district, be practicing and playing during Thanksgiving weekend and go to the state championship.

“The good thing last week was we kept focused on the team we were playing. We have to do that with St. Martin’s because they can play regardless of their competition.”

Vault said for his team to win Friday the players will have to execute their assignments, play tough football and minimize turnovers and penalties.

St. Martin’s (10-0) will host Block (7-4) at 7 p.m. Friday in Metairie.