Notre Dame football edges Bishop Amat to make strong first impression in Mission League

SHERMAN OAKS — The Notre Dame football team made a strong first impression on the Mission League by rallying from a tie game at halftime to beat Bishop Amat, 28-21, on Friday night at Notre Dame.

“We’re becoming even more of a family,” quarterback Steele Pizzella said. “I think we just fought through. It was a roller coaster of a game and I’m really happy that we all stayed in it together.”

Pizzella’s quick feet secured the game-winning touchdown when he rushed in from 3 yards out. A long pass to Luc Weaver and a facemask call against Bishop Amat (2-4, 0-1) set up the Knights (4-2 overall, 1-0 Mission League) for the scoring play.

Notre Dame’s offense shined not just with Pizzella’s running but also the football IQ of the offense. The quarterback’s quick release was complemented by his receivers’ abilities to find open spaces and fight for contested catches.

“They have developed to the point where we’re always on the same page when we need to be and we can get on the same page if we’re not,” Pizzella said.

The Knights scored twice in the opening quarter when Tre Fernandez cruised over 80 yards to score on the opening kickoff and Steele Pizzella fired off a 10-yard pass to Elliot Cooper.

All three players were part of Notre Dame’s 4×100 relay team that placed fourth at the CIF State meet in the most recent track and field season.

Bishop Amat resorted to its rushing attack and running back Ryan Salcedo scored twice before halftime to even the score. He scored from 2 yards out with 1:10 left in the first quarter and with 1:02 left to tie the game 14-14.

Amat quarterback Frankie Villalbazo launched long passes but the Lancers couldn’t get the chunk plays that they were looking for. However, Amat went to a tempo offense and Villalbazo used his legs effectively for 5 yard run on fourth down to set up the game-tying touchdown.

“We had to go in at halftime and make sure that we were preparing for those tricky formations,” said Notre Dame coach Evan Yabu. “In the long run, they kept us guessing with the way they lined up the entire night and they gave us a healthy dose of run concepts to challenge our guys.”

The Knights defense adjusted at halftime to slow Salcedo and the run game while also increasing pressure from the pass rush. Jacob Diamond sacked quarterback Frankie Villalbazo for a loss of 2 yards, then Caden Sliwoski knocked the ball loose on the following play. Max Martin-Beckmann recovered the fumble.

Notre Dame fumbled on the ensuing drive but pressure from safety Carson Brewster forced an incomplete pass and a three-and-out.

“This game showed us all that they believe in themselves,” Yabu said. “We really went into (the nonleague Servite) game with the mantra of believing and owning that on an individual level and on a team level. And tonight for us to squeak out a win going into halftime with a tie showed me that it was real.”

Mission League play continues for the Knights next Friday with a matchup against reigning Mission League champion Sierra Canyon.