Cowles Runs Notre Dame Victory, 17-0

Before Friday night’s game against Chaminade High, Notre Dame’s Brendan Cowles was told that he might be replaced even before the first quarter ended.

It wasn’t that the Knights didn’t have confidence in their starting quarterback. The problem was that he may be too good an athlete.

“We need him to play defense and some tailback, too,” said Rooney. “We don’t want him to get tired.”

Cowles played only a few downs at quarterback. But he was there long enough to lead the Knights to a first-quarter touchdown that would have been enough had the game ended then. Notre Dame went on to a victory at home over Chaminade, 17-0.

“We didn’t complete the passes tonight,” said Chaminade Coach Rich Montanio after the game. “We have to be able to throw the ball to balance out our running game or we’re in trouble.”

Eagle quarterback Dave Morrison completed six of 11 passes for 63 yards and two costly interceptions. Chaminade’s offense totaled only 121 total yards for the game.

Cowles, on the other hand, completed seven of 13 for 89 yards and looked impressive. In addition to his multiple offensive and defensive responsibilities, the senior returned punts for the Knights.

Cowles’ replacement at quarterback, junior Morgan Shepherd, completed only four of 15 passes for 27 yards. But Notre Dame, helped by strong running from Cowles and Chris Carcia, finished with 233 yards in total offense.

On Notre Dame’s second possession of the game, Cowles completed passes of 11 and 22 yards to wide receiver Paul Oester. Knight running back Jeri Deranja added 23 yards on a draw play and the first of his two touchdown runs to give Notre Dame an early 7-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Morrison was having trouble finding his feet. The junior quarterback, who led Chaminade’s junior varsity team to a league championship last season, slipped and fell while dropping back to pass on two successive third-down plays in the first half.

He might have been better off staying down.

Late in the first half, Morrison threw an interception that was returned to Chaminade’s 30. Several plays later, Brian Greenfield kicked a 36-yard field goal with seven seconds left on the clock. Notre Dame led, 10-0.

With Cowles pulled from the quarterback spot, Notre Dame’s offense sputtered. The closest either team came to a score was a pair of missed field goals.

When Morrison threw his second interception, it was returned 58 yards to the Chaminade two-yard line by Matt McElreath. On the next play, Deranja dove over for the score.

About the only thing Chaminade could be pleased about was its running backs. Sophomore tailback Sean Burwell gained 68 yards on 13 carries and Troy Kirk had 47 yards on four carries.