HS FOOT: Notre Dame could be shorthanded vs. Amat

It figured to be tough enough this coming Friday for Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks (8-1, 2-0), which faces host Bishop Amat of La Puente (8-1, 1-1) in a showdown for the Serra League football championship.

But now the news has broke that three top Notre Dame starters are injured -- leading receiver Tyler Thomas (ankle), linebacker Wayne Swinson (ankle) and offensive lineman Tyler Sulka (concussion). Thomas and Swinson are questionable, and Sulka is doubtful.

"That's OK. We've got other players to fill in," two-way lineman Ben Gottschalk said. "I'm sure we'll be fine."

Bishop Amat draws large crowds and has a tight stadium that includes end zone seats - unfriendly confines for a visiting team, especially for showdown game, and it should be plenty loud on Friday.

"It's two 8-1 teams battling for the league championship, so it should be fun," Notre Dame coach Kevin Rooney said. "Because the crowd is so close, whenever there's a big game there, it's kind of fun."

Qualifying for the Pac-5 Division, playoffs can be dicey in the four-team league. If Notre Dame loses, combined with Loyola of L.A. (3-6, 0-2) upsetting Crespi of Encino (5-4, 1-1), there would be a three-way tie for first place with only two guaranteed playoff spots. A three-way coin flip would be conducted, and the odd team would be out. The league's No. 1 team would then be determined based on head to head competition being the No. 1 criteria.

There is only one at-large entry in the Pac-5, and the first criteria is a record of .500 or better. At that point, the Southern Section examines all the teams in the division bidding for an at-large berth, and a point formula is used with the most weight given to head-to-head results.

-- Gerry Gittelson