HS FOOT: Notre Dame holds off Fountain Valley 41-24

Kyle Middlebrooks was a like a one-man gang for Fountain Valley High in a Pac-5 Division playoff game Friday at Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.

The senior running back who runs a 10.5 100-meter dash burned the Knights for 276 yards and three touchdowns in 26 carries, but Notre Dame had more weapons and wore down the visiting Barons in a 41-24 victory.

Middlebrooks scored on runs of 50, 57 and 6 yards, and though the performance was not enough to win the game, he and his teammates certainly earned Notre Dame's respect.

"Oh, Fountain Valley definitely earned our respect, and he's a great running back," Notre Dame's Kenny Boggs said. "He's a good back. He's fast."

Perhaps it would have helped if Middlebrooks played defense, as Notre Dame amassed 401 yards, including a 211-yard rushing performance on 23 carries for Boggs.

"It was a great game. It was like the battle of the running backs," Boggs said.

Notre Dame (9-2) plays at Mission Viejo (11-0) next Friday in the quarterfinals.

Notre Dame quarterback Ryan Kasdorf also came through with a top performance, though he was not asked to pass as much as usual. He completed 11 of 12 for 97 yards and two touchdowns, and he also scored on a 1-yard run.

Bishop Amat's Dominic Ragland completed 4 of 14 for 47 yards and an interception.

Kasdorf totaled only 55 yards in the first half, but he was extremely efficient, completing his first seven passes and finishing 8 of 9 at the half -- the only incompletion a dropped pass.

Middlebrooks, who finished as a track runnerup in the CIF State 100 meter final last year, finished the season with 1,882 yards. He is the latest in a series of top running backs who have enjoyed big performances against Notre Dame this season, and that's something that should worry the Knights.

"I think we definitely have to tighten our run defense and just come out more focused," said Boggs, who also plays defensive back. "We can't make mental mistakes or big plays are going to happen."

Notre Dame's Jacob Smith rushed for 101 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown.