Notre Dame Posts First Playoff Win

Although the modest offensive output of Notre Dame High was hardly befitting a team that has buried recent opponents, the Knights’ 10-3 victory over Righetti on Friday undoubtedly will be inked in the annals of school history.

Before this Southern Section Division VII playoff opener, Notre Dame had not won a postseason football game since the school opened in 1947.

“That was kind of a monkey on my back--everybody talked about it so much,” said Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney, adding that he will have to further sharpen his offense to survive in the playoffs. “I don’t think we can drop a bunch of passes and get penalized like we did and win again.”

Notre Dame will play San Marino, a 14-6 winner over South Torrance, next week in the second round of the playoffs at a site to be announced. Righetti finishes 6-5.

Notre Dame (10-1) mounted the game-winning drive late in the third quarter after linebacker Anthony Fanara batted down Pat Risher’s pass on a fake punt on fourth down.

The Knights took over at their 41-yard line and moved the ball into Righetti territory on a nine-yard run by Errol Small and a 19-yard pass from Greg Andrachick to Guillermo Eguez.

On third and seven at the Knights’ 28, Tim Elliot caught an eight-yard pass, was hit and fumbled. Notre Dame’s Setefano Malieitulua recovered at the 16 to sustain the drive.

Five plays later, with 8:52 to play, Andrachick faked a handoff to Small, rolled right on a bootleg and dived into the end zone. Chris Afarian added the point-after touchdown.

Small led all rushers with 73 yards in 20 carries.

“He’s a little bigger than we’ve faced,” Righetti Coach Tom Hawkins said of Small, who has gained 1,117 yards on the ground. “We had problems wrapping him. But as far as shiftiness, I don’t think he’s going to be a big-time running back. He’s a good-looking athlete, though.”

The game was delayed for several minutes shortly before the intermission so Notre Dame’s Anthony Rodriguez, whose leg was injured, could be taken from the field on a stretcher.

On the next play, Anthony Martinez was chased out of the pocket and unloaded a pass that was intercepted by Fanara at midfield and returned to the Righetti 15.

Because there were 10 seconds left after Fanara’s return, Notre Dame had time for one play.

Andrachick’s pass barely glanced off the fingertips of Eguez, who was in the end zone. The Knights settled for a 31-yard field goal by Afarian to tie the score, 3-3.