Football: Crespi-Notre Dame game is bigger than ever

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It’s going to get a little wacky in the San Fernando Valley this coming week, because Crespi (6-1) is playing host to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (7-0) on Friday night in a Serra League opener that figures to be one of the best high school football games of the season.

These neighborhood rivals appear to be reaching peak form. Crespi shutout St. Francis, 34-0, on Friday. Notre Dame shutout St. Paul, 35-0.

Let’s get down to the business of which team is going to win.

I saw Crespi in its worst performance of the season, a 31-14 loss to St. Bonaventure. The Celts didn’t block, didn’t tackle and didn’t perform in their biggest game to date.

I haven’t seen Notre Dame, but the Knights have improved each week.

The bottom line is which team’s offensive line will be best able to protect its quarterback. That’s going to mean the difference between victory and defeat.

I can’t wait to see the traffic jam in Encino or the battle for parking. And the game should be good, too. Arrive early and stay late, because I expect a classic.

-- Eric Sondheimer