Crespi-Notre Dame: Treat it like a playoff game

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The Southern Section football playoffs don’t begin until Nov. 20, but don’t tell that to the coaches at Encino Crespi (4-3) and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (6-1). Jeremiah Ross and Kevin Rooney have been telling their players that tonight’s Serra League showdown is the equivalent of a playoff game because any loss in league play could mean elimination from playoff consideration.

That’s the reality of playing in a four-team league that also includes Los Angeles Loyola and La Puente Bishop Amat. The only way to guarantee a Pac-5 playoff berth is to go 3-0 in league play.

This Catholic schools rivalry game will feature two of the best quarterbacks in the San Fernando Valley in Oregon-bound Bryan Bennett of Crespi and Ryan Kasdorf of Notre Dame, last season’s Gatorade state player of the year.

Both schools like to leave it up to their quarterbacks to deliver victory. I’ll be bringing you the stats, stories, trends and highlights.

-- Eric Sondheimer