Notre Dame High School Looks to Make Football Comeback

After finishing 2-8 and failing to make the football playoffs for the first time in at least 20 years this past season, the big question at Notre Dame High is, can the Knights come back?

“I sure hope so,” said coach Kevin Rooney, who has served 31 years, nearly all of them an overwhelming success. “Obviously, it was a tough year. We should be much better next year. I’m excited to get started again.”

Khalfani Muhammad returns, and that should help. As a sophomore, Muhammad, a running back, had a lot of hype and a lot to prove, and he came through with a strong season, rushing for 851 yards with 21 receptions and 14 touchdowns. He figures to be a key focal point as Notre Dame looks to rebuild in the tough Serra League.

Some of the other top underclassmen are offensive lineman Austin Crist, cornerback Nick Holland, linebacker Anthony Gutierrez, tight end Brandon Jett and running back Sam Robinson. Crist is the younger brother of University of Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist.

Plus, promising quarterback Kelly Hiliniski will be a junior, and though he didn’t play much as a sophomore – that’s what happens when you go 2-8 and have to try to claw back every week – he’s 6-foot-5 and looked good on the frosh team a couple of years ago.

As for the graduating seniors, no one has an official scholarship offer. But kicker Hayden Ross, an All-Southern Section selection, is expected to walk on somewhere, Rooney said.

BOUNCING BASKETBALL

What an up and down week for the Notre Dame boys basketball team. First, the Knights upset Alemany 77-63 on Monday – one of the top-two best wins of the season, coach Bill Bedgood said – and then they lose Wednesday to Chamiande, 56-52, an opponent that came with an 0-11 record in the Mission League.

“I don’t know if beating Alemany was the biggest of the year because beating Crenshaw was a little bigger, but Alemany is a good team,” Bedgood said before the Chaminade loss. “I’m sure they might think it’s an upset win, but we don’t think it was.”

Notre Dame finished the regular season 14-12, 4-8 to place fifth in the Mission League – but that’s not a bad spot considering how competitive the league is. Entering the week, Notre Dame was ranked No. 7 in Div. IV-AA, and Alemany was No. 2,  so the Knights figure to command respect in the postseason.

“We’re going to be fighting for an at-large bid, but we should get in,” Bedgood said.

One of the key players down the stretch has been Anthony Swan, recently promoted to the starting lineup.

“He’s a 6-5 wing, and he’s really been a huge surprise,” Bedgood said. “He’s real versatile, and he adds an extra scoring option.”

The other key players include Johnathan Bell, Antwon Johnson and Kennedy Edwards.

HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

Notre Dame is celebrating its first ever Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Feb. 26, and tickets are going fast for what figures to be quite a catered event at the school gym.

The scheduled inductees are football players Dave Kopay (class of 1960), John Vella (’68) and Gordy Ceresino (’75) and baseball players Tim Foli (’68) and Greg Goossen (’64).

The first Hall of Fame class consists of graduates from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

“It’s not a fundraiser. We’re not trying to make money – we want everyone to come,” organizer Danny Barrett said. “That’s why it’s so affordable.”

Italian food will be served. Tickets are $40. For information, go to ndhs.org or send an email: barrett@ndhs.org.