HS FOOTBALL: Get ready for Notre Dame-Crespi rematch

It's finally here, the high school football rematch between bitter rivals Crespi and Notre Dame eleven months after Crespi defeated Notre Dame 34-28 on a Stanford-vs.-Cal-style last-second touchdown to knock the Knights out of the playoffs for the first time in more than 20 years.

A capacity crowd in Encino is expected when the teams face off at 7 p.m. Friday at Crespi. It's the Serra League opener plus Crespi's homecoming game.

A lot of the top players from both teams are returning starters, and if ever the emotion can carry over from one season to the next, this is the game.

Notre Dame (5-1) is coming off a tough 36-32 loss Friday at Chaminade, one night before Crespi (5-1) defeated Taft 56-7, so players from both teams got a chance to do their own scouting report this past weekend.

"Our team, coaches included, are taking the aggravating loss from last week's game and the storybook ending against Crespi last year, and it's filling us with emotion and fuel to prepare us for Friday," Notre Dame defensive lineman Brandon Jett said. "I can assure you, it will be an amazing game."

Every game should prove critical in the Serra League, as the five participants have a combined record of 24-6. With only three teams guaranteed a Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoff berth, it's full speed from this point forward.

"This game has been circled on our calendars all year," Notre Dame quarterback Kelly Hilinski said. "Preseason is over, and we have learned from our mistakes. The real season starts Friday. It's time to earn a playoff spot, and it all begins with this game."

Hilinski has passed for 655 yards and five touchdowns, and he has scored five touchdowns. Teammate Khalfani Muhammad has rushed for 744 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, and Jett and defensive back Kevin Carrasco are among the league's most intimidating defenders. Crespi counters with quarterback Cody Cordell, who has completed 75.3 percent for 1,210 yards and 21 touchdowns, along with receivers Chris Harper (22 receptions, 616 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Mike Davison (19 receptions, 223 yards, three touchdowns), All-American offensive lineman Jordan Simmons and returning all-league linebacker Luke Wilkerson.

"We are mentally and physically focused for Notre Dame, and it's going to be a dogfight the whole game," Davison said. "The men will come out victorious."