PLAYOFF PROFILES : Zdenek Won’t Get His Wish

No member of the Chaminade High football team was looking forward to a rematch with rival Notre Dame more than Jason Zdenek.

None of the Eagles, who fell to Notre Dame, 19-15, in a Mission League finale three weeks ago, were more disappointed than Zdenek to learn that the rematch would not take place.

Chaminade (11-1) held up its end of the bargain with a 28-0 Division III quarterfinal victory over Nogales to advance to tonight’s semifinal at home against Diamond Bar (12-0). The same evening, Notre Dame, defending section champion, was upset by Westlake, 28-21.

Returning home on the team bus, Zdenek, a senior quarterback and free safety, listened anxiously with his teammates to a radio sports report. Players erupted in cheers upon hearing that Notre Dame lost.

“It was somewhat of a relief in one sense,” Zdenek said. “But I guess I see it in a different perspective than most players do.”

Zdenek, 5 feet 11, 175 pounds, a dangerous passer and runner, nearly led the Eagles to a dramatic victory over Notre Dame.

He rushed for 97 yards, passed for 53 and drove the Eagles the length of the field in the final two minutes only to have his pass into the end zone intercepted by Ryan Bowne with 29 seconds to play.

Zdenek, who plays safety, leads Southern Section players from the region with eight interceptions. Against Notre Dame he made several tackles--including an impressive touchdown-saving grab of wide receiver Troy Garner. Zdenek caught the speedy receiver from behind and dragged him down by the seat of his pants.

“He has been doing that all year long,” Chaminade Coach Rich Lawson said.

“No one has had a run up the field on us all year because of the

guy we have back there.”

Only Notre Dame has defeated Chaminade. But Zdenek says he can live with that. Especially if the Eagles advance to the championship game against the winner of the game between Newbury Park and Westlake.

“The Notre Dame game showed that we got over the whole intimidation factor,” Zdenek said. “Most people have always thought of Chaminade as the little school that tries to compete with the big guys. I think we showed what kind of team we are.”