HS FOOT: Notre Dame-Crespi matchup should be BIG

There is no bigger private-school football rivalry in the San Fernando Valley than Notre Dame-Crespi, two state powers that go head to head Friday at 7:30 p.m. in a Serra League opener at Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks.

"It's going to be a really heated battle," Notre Dame running back Kenny Boggs said. "I think Crespi is a really good team. We have to watch out for them."

The winner has the inside track in the four-team league, where a total of one loss can sometimes cost a playoff berth.

"Obviously, Crespi is our closest rival in terms of geography, and we've been competing with them for a long time, so in that regard it's a very big game," Notre Dame coach Kevin Rooney said. "More important, it's the first league game, and both of us know how important that is."

-- Gerry Gittelson