Notre Dame Dominates Chaminade

WEST HILLS — This was just what the doctor ordered for Notre Dame High.

The Knights’ 36-3 rout of Chaminade in a Mission League opener Friday night at Chaminade went a long way toward avenging last year’s loss, which cost Notre Dame a share of the league title.

“All summer we had that on our minds,” Notre Dame fullback Lei Malieitulua said. “We wanted to beat them bad at their place.”

That they did.

Notre Dame (4-2), which lost, 28-23, to Chaminade in the final regular-season game in 1992, outgained the Eagles, 401-100, on Friday.

The Knights were led by Malieitulua’s 137 yards and two touchdowns in 16 carries. Tailback John Garcia added 91 yards and a touchdown in 11 carries.

“It was all the linemen,” Malieitulua said. “Last year, (Chaminade) controlled the line and our guys were on a mission this time.”

The mission could result in a Mission League championship. Chaminade (2-4) was considered Notre Dame’s toughest competition for the title, but the Eagles’ hopes seemed to die last week when star tailback Franklin Saunders went down with a season-ending knee injury.

“That made a difference,” Malieitulua said. “They seemed flat, like they were disappointed they didn’t have him. But we wanted to play against him.”

Without Saunders, Chaminade’s offense was led by Jason Giovannettone, who gained 29 yards in nine carries. Eagle quarterback Tom Racius was six for 13 for 42 yards in the first half and Clint Tanner was two for six for nine yards in the second half. He threw three interceptions.

Notre Dame quarterback Jabbar Craigwell completed his first five passes, finishing six of 11 for 121 yards.

The Knights dominated the game from the start. Malieitulua scored on a 38-yard run on Notre Dame’s first play from scrimmage.

On the extra-point attempt, the snap was bad, but Craigwell managed to scramble and find Anthony Jacquet in the end zone for the two-point conversion. It was that sort of night for Notre Dame.

Even 65 yards of penalties in the first half--90 in the game--could not slow the determined Knights.