Notre Dame Runs Down a Win

LA CANADA — In a game that featured likely and unlikely ballcarriers, Notre Dame High outran St. Francis to a 34-13 Mission League victory Friday night at St. Francis.

Notre Dame’s ground attack edged that of St. Francis, 215 yards to 207. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s defense, which has allowed 69 points this season, limited St. Francis quarterbacks Brian Rucker and John Carnevali to a combined nine of 30 passing.

Tailback John Garcia led Notre Dame (7-1, 3-0 in league play) with 121 yards and two touchdowns in 19 carries. Junior quarterback Ryan Bowne was a surprise contributor, gaining 60 yards in four bootlegs.

“I kind of felt we would be able to run the ball on them,” Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney said.

St. Francis (4-3-1, 1-2), which trailed, 28-7, at halftime, was led by tailback Darin Maxwell, who rushed for a game-high 136 yards and one touchdown in 21 carries.

Maxwell, who impressively lowered his shoulder and bowled over defenders, accounted for 48 yards of a 77-yard fourth-quarter drive that culminated with his one-yard touchdown run.

St. Francis’ surprise contributor was left guard John Jones, who dashed 52 yards for a second-quarter touchdown on a so-called “fumblerooskie” play.

But resorting to deception only underscored Notre Dame’s dominance of the line of scrimmage.

“I knew Notre Dame was good, but they were even better than I thought they would be,” St. Francis Coach Bill Redell said. “When you have to rely on a fumblerooskie to score, you’re not moving the ball too well.”

Notre Dame marched 67 yards in its opening possession to take a 7-0 lead on fullback Don Ebenhoch’s one-yard run.

The Knights scored on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter. Bowne hit split end Troy Garner with a 48-yard touchdown pass, Bowne dashed 16 yards on a keeper and Garcia ran 24 yards for another score.

Garcia added another touchdown late in the half on a three-yard run.