Late Chaminade Rally Falls Short, 14-12

Despite a dramatic fourth-quarter scoring drive spearheaded by Colin Havert, visiting Notre Dame High held off Chaminade, 14-12, Friday night in a San Fernando Valley League opener marred by a controversial call by the officials.

Following Havert’s one-yard touchdown leap with 2:38 to play, quarterback Jeff Meyer bobbled the center snap on the two-point conversion attempt and was tackled at the five, preserving the Knights’ two-point advantage.

Considering that the combined record of the three other San Fernando Valley League teams is 4-12-1, the win should position Notre Dame (5-1 overall, 1-0 in league play) for its second title in a row. Chaminade, which had won its last four games convincingly, fell to 4-2, 0-1.

Havert gained 196 yards in 29 carries and scored both Chaminade touchdowns to give him 916 yards and 17 scores this season. The Eagles’ final drive was a testimony to his position as the second-ranked rusher in the Valley. He carried on seven of the Eagles’ last 11 plays, including runs of 24, 13 and nine yards. He capped the 67-yard drive with the dive into the end zone, setting up the failed conversion attempt.

The Eagles also swarmed on defense, holding the high-powered Notre Dame offensive attack to 149 total yards and tailback Errol Small to 66 in 13 carries.

The game was marred by a controversial call that came four minutes into the second half. On its first possession of the third quarter, Notre Dame executed a lengthy drive that was sparked by a 32-yard keeper by quarterback Greg Andrachick.

The drive stalled at the Chaminade 15 where Notre Dame set up for a 32-yard field-goal attempt by Chris Afarian. The kick was blocked by Dan Kelly, who flattened Afarian. To the chagrin of the irate Chaminade staff, officials ruled that Kelly made contact with Afarian before the ball was blocked.

The penalty gave the Knights a first down at the eight. On third down, Andrachick found Guillermo Eguez in the end zone with an 11-yard scoring pass.

Knights Coach Kevin Rooney said he was unable to see the blocked field-goal attempt in question from his angle. However, the game tape that Chaminade Coach Rich Lawson, his staff, and reporters viewed afterward clearly showed the block preceded the blow to Afarian.

Lawson was fuming but chose his words carefully. “I’ve got a lot I’d like to say about that call,” he said. “Obviously the white hat felt that was the call he had to make.”

On the opening possession of the game, the Eagles were forced to punt. Notre Dame’s Kirk Miller received the ball around the Chaminade 45, ran upfield and had the ball punched out of his grasp by Todd Carper. Chaminade lineman Christian Klawitter recovered at the 39.

Chaminade made the most of its second chance, driving 61 yards in nine plays for the score--a 15-yard run off left tackle by Havert with 5:17 to play in the first quarter. Havert had runs of 12, 18 and 10 yards on the drive. Michael Terzian’s conversion kick was blocked and the Eagles had to settle for a 6-0 lead.