North Miami Beach tried all summer to get used to being a favorite to win a state championship.

But after a humbling loss to Killian three weeks ago, it is back to playing the role it enjoys more.

''I think we didn't deal well with all the hype and everyone telling us we were so good,'' North Miami Beach coach Jeff Bertani said. ``The loss to Killian might be the best thing that could have happened to us in the long run. This team is hungry again and has shown more focus the last few weeks than it had for a while.''

North Miami Beach will feel like an underdog more than ever Saturday when it travels to New Orleans for the first out-of-state football game in the school's 38-year history.

North Miami Beach (2-1), ranked No. 10 in The Miami Herald's South Florida Top 20 poll, will play one of Louisiana's tradition-rich high school football teams when it faces John Curtis at 1 p.m. at Nicholls State University.

''We want people to think we're underdogs,'' quarterback Nico Flores said. ``It's how we survive. We won't wear down. Teams know we'll come out and smash every day.''

North Miami Beach is hoping the trip will reenergize their hopes of winning their first Class 6A title this season.

North Miami Beach, which has advanced to at least the third round of the playoffs the past two seasons, entered the season as the top-ranked Class 6A team in Dade.

But against Killian, Bertani saw something happen to his team he's not used to watching.

''We got pushed off the ball up front,'' Bertani said. ``And that's something we're not used to around here. Killian did whatever they wanted on offense and they were more physical. Our kids take pride in being the more physical team and that's something they've worked on a lot the past few weeks.''

Bertani said his team's offensive and defensive lines, a concern before the season with three new starters, has shown the most improvement behind three players, senior tackle Maurice Anderson, junior Gio Maldonado and sophomore Travis Turner.

North Miami Beach rebounded with a 36-6 victory two weeks ago against neighborhood rival North Miami. Flores threw three touchdowns passes and senior Markeith Russell ran for three scores, and the defense gave up just 57 yards through the first three quarters.

North Miami Beach will need a complete effort from its linemen against John Curtis, which features a power running game led by senior Kenny Cain, who is being recruited by top programs such as Alabama and Arkansas.

John Curtis, named after the school's founder and first coach, is a three-time defending state champion and has won 22 state titles. The team is coached by Curtis' son, John T. Curtis, who is the second-winningest coach in high school football history behind Summerville (S.C.) coach John McKissick.

North Miami Beach leaves Friday for New Orleans, a fact Bertani said has given the event the feel of a ``business trip.''

However, after building his program into a perennial winner over the past decade, Bertani wants his players to appreciate the experience.

''It's a program with tremendous tradition,'' Bertani said. ``I'm thrilled for our kids to be able to experience this. Most of them have never even played outside of Miami.

``It's a tremendous opportunity for our entire school.''

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