HS FOOT: Notre Dame defeats Chaminade

On a night when Notre Dame's high-powered offense was not as productive as usual, the defense came through Friday in a 21-3 nonleague football victory over visiting Chaminade of West Hills.

Notre Dame (6-1) limited the Eagles (5-2) to 218 yards and did not allow the visitors to penetrate the red zone until the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

"Chaminade couldn't do much. I'm really proud of our defense," Notre Dame linebacker Wayne Swinson said. "The defense did a good job."

Chaminade's Jake Basmagian was held to 65 yards passing, completing 9 of 21 with an interception. The Eagles' longest play from scrimmage was 18 yards.

"We just weren't clicking on offense," Chaminade receiver Brando Tessar said. "We couldn't sustain any long drives, and that's what killed us."

Meanwhile Notre Dame, which entered with an average of 36.1 points per game, was having its own problems. All-American Ryan Kasdorf completed 17 of 28 for 147 yards, no touchdowns and an interception -- hardly Kasdorf-style numbers -- and the Knights overcame nine penalties for 90 yards.

It was not pretty, but the Knights will take it, as Notre Dame prepares to face rival Crespi of Encino (4-3) in the Serra League opener this coming Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame's Kenny Boggs rushed for 117 yards on 15 carries, and Jacob Smith added 82 yards on 11 carries, including two touchdowns.

Chaminade's Cory Bess rushed for 85 yards on 16 carries.

-- Gerry Gittelson