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Serra League preview

By Austin KnoblauchSenior Editor, Sports 
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This just in: After seeing the University of Notre Dame’s season-opening debacle on Saturday, I’m glad I’m not Jimmy Clausen or those two other what’s-their-names quarterbacks. Sure, dealing with a red-faced Charlie Weis is bad enough, but Clausen knows in the back of his head that Dayne Crist is coming to South Bend in 2008.

OK, maybe it’s a little premature to say Crist will wrestle away a potential starting job from Clausen or those other guys, but I do know Crist is the best quarterback on the best team in the Serra League.

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The 6-foot-5, 225-pound senior has already committed to Notre Dame (the one not located on the corner of Riverside and Woodman) and is eager to play again after 2006’s campaign was partially spoiled by a compression fracture in his back. Still, that didn’t stop the versatile QB from passing for 1,270 yards and 17 touchdowns. Crist is joined by a bunch of experienced teammates, including potential 1,500-yard RB Thaddeus Brown, DL Wes Horton (committed to USC) and LB Anthony McDonald, (committed to Notre Dame).

And I’m not the only one raving about the Knights – we ranked them at No. 3 in our 600+ school coverage area and Rivals.com and CalHiSports.com ranked them No. 4 in the state and No. 32 in the nation. Some other guys really like them too.

Crespi is the only team capable of challenging Notre Dame and that assessment in itself is kind of a stretch. However, the Celts have plenty of returning starters, including the league’s second-best QB, Kevin Prince (who, unfortunately, injured his knee in their opener). He passed for 1,442 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior and has plenty of DI programs, including UCLA and Washington, stomping on his welcome mat. Other impact players include, 6-7 tight-end Joseph Fauria (another player committed to Notre Dame) and UCLA-bound defensive back E.J. Woods.

Here’s my prediction: 1. Notre Dame, 2. Crespi, 3. Loyola, 4. Bishop Amat

Must-see games:

  • Sept. 7 – Canyon at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 20 – Notre Dame at Birmingham, 8 p.m.
  • Oct. 26 – Loyola at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 9 – Crespi at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 9 – Loyola at Bishop Amat, 7:30 p.m.

- Austin Knoblauch

Varsity Times Insider
Austin Knoblauch

Austin Knoblauch is a senior editor in Sports at the Los Angeles Times, overseeing NFL coverage and digital initiatives. He previously worked as an editor and writer at NFL.com. He initially joined The Times in 2005, serving in various web editing and reporting roles. Knoblauch’s favorite sports are football, hockey and auto racing. He is a native of Southern California and graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles.

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