No. 1 Takes Care of Saugus

As 10-year-olds, Jonathon Brewster and Matt Lutz would sneak away from Notre Dame High football games and play tackle football on the adjacent baseball field, dreaming of the day they would wear gold helmets and thrill Knight fans.

It happened Friday night, when Brewster connected on touchdown passes of 31 and 16 yards to Lutz, helping top-ranked Notre Dame come away with a 28-13 victory over Saugus.

Brewster finished with three touchdown passes and completed eight of 17 passes for 128 yards. He also displayed scrambling ability, breaking off runs of 16 and 42 yards.

It was a difficult game for Notre Dame (3-0), which was clinging to a 15-point lead at the outset of the fourth quarter when linebacker Jared DePaiva of Saugus stripped the ball from Brewster.

Suddenly, Saugus had first-and-goal from the Notre Dame eight-yard line.

“I was getting real nervous,” Coach Kevin Rooney of Notre Dame said. “We were real concerned.”

Facing its most severe challenge in three games, Notre Dame’s defense took control. Mike Rodriguez sacked David Parker for a 13-yard loss. Then came three consecutive incomplete passes and the Centurions (2-1) were beaten.

“I thought the defense rose up when they had to and the offense answered back and that’s a good sign,” Rooney said.

Saugus got the attention of the Knights midway through the second quarter when Jonathan Tallakson blocked Chris Shibel’s punt. The Centurions took over on the Notre Dame 30, and Brett Draimin eventually scored on a one-yard run, tying the score, 7-7.

That’s when Brewster ignited Notre Dame’s offense, guiding the Knights to three consecutive touchdowns. He put together an 80-yard, eight-play scoring drive, including his 42-yard scramble. Trevin Lund’s two-yard touchdown dive gave Notre Dame a 14-7 lead with 2:21 left before halftime. But Brewster wasn’t finished.

With 37 seconds left, Brewster connected with Lutz on a 31-yard touchdown pass, leaving the Knights with a 21-7 halftime advantage.

Saugus was able to keep defensive tackle Travis Johnson of Notre Dame relatively quiet by using a shotgun formation that provided Parker with enough time to release the ball.

Johnson sacked Parker once in the first half. Junior tackle Jeff Gallo was holding his own in a ferocious one-on-one blocking matchup against Johnson.

Parker was sacked five times, with Johnson bringing him down twice. But Parker was effective with a short passing game and didn’t make many mistakes. He completed 20 of 34 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown.

Brewster came through with the kind of performance Notre Dame needs at quarterback, especially with Alemany coming to Sherman Oaks next week.

“Our offense is starting to click,” Brewster said. “I’m feeling a lot more comfortable.”

Said Rooney: “I think he’s going to get better and better every game. He’s a very capable passer and runner and we’re just beginning to see what he can do.”

The Knights were relieved and already looking forward to their next challenge.

“Alemany’s next, baby,” one player shouted.