Football: Notre Dame has aches, pains but feels great

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On Saturday morning, I stopped by Sherman Oaks Notre Dame to talk to a couple of players and Coach Kevin Rooney about the team’s 40-34 victory over Encino Crespi in four overtimes.

Let’s just say I saw a lot of limping going on, including Rooney, who didn’t even play in the game.

‘I’m just old,’ Rooney said of his limping.

Quarterback Kelly Hilinski raved about Crespi’s defensive line. ‘They’re something else,’ he said.

The Knights were thrilled with the victory over their neighborhood rivals. Some admitted to having tears of joy afterward.

Notre Dame (5-3, 1-1) doesn’t have much time to savor the victory. Next up is a Serra League game against Loyola. Notre Dame is in a must-win situation the rest of the way trying to get one of the two guaranteed playoff spots from the Serra League.

-- Eric Sondheimer