It’s Too Late Early for Harvard

Justin Fargas was so good during Notre Dame High’s 42-0 victory over Harvard-Westlake on Saturday that teammates and coaches couldn’t help but join the sellout crowd at Harvard-Westlake and watch in amazement.

Fargas, a 6-foot, 184-pound running back, rushed for a career-high 329 yards and three touchdowns in 14 carries and the Knights (9-1, 5-0 in league) captured their fourth consecutive Mission League title.

“I love to watch him run,” said Knight Coach Kevin Rooney. “Love to watch him break tackles, love to watch him fight and struggle. He’s amazing.”

Pity the fans who arrived late to the game, because with 3 minutes 26 seconds gone in the first quarter, the Knights had a 21-0 lead and the only thing keeping the game from officially being over was the clock.

Fargas, one play after his 20-yard run was nullified by a holding penalty, burst into the Wolverine secondary on the third play of the game.

He spun out of safety Brent Pantell’s grasp and sprinted for a 58-yard touchdown.

Two plays later, Notre Dame defensive back David Escobar intercepted John Terzian’s pass and ran 45 yards for a touchdown.

On the third play of the next Wolverine drive, Adam Boyd intercepted Terzian’s pass and ran 50 yards for a score to give the Knights a 21-0 lead.

“We did just what we wanted to,” said Fargas, who averaged 23.5 yards a carry. “We wanted to take it to them in the beginning and just play Notre Dame football.”

Fargas credited an inspired offensive line that was led by guards Ricky Bednarek and Brandon Woods for his success.

“It’s been the same thing all season,” Fargas said. “The line is opening up big holes for me and the receivers are blocking downfield.”

Well, most of the time.

Boyd, who also plays receiver, admitted that on Fargas’ 13-yard touchdown--a run in which he went up the middle and ran over Pantell at the goal line--he was watching the running back in awe instead of blocking.

“I said, ‘Man you just ran that guy over,’ ” Boyd said. “I told [Fargas] I was going to block [Pantell], but then I saw I didn’t need to.”

Boyd said that wasn’t the first time he watched in amazement as Fargas, who has 2,114 yards this season, ran with the ball.

“Sometimes I’m trailing him and I can’t believe the things he does,” Boyd said.

“It’s really amazing. Sometimes I get teary-eyed watching him.”

Fargas, who also had an 80-yard touchdown run, added runs of 42 and 52 yards that did not go for touchdowns as Notre Dame extended its league winning streak to 20 games.

Harvard-Westlake (6-4, 3-2) could have avoided the shutout, but decided to accept a roughing the kicker penalty after Jon Barry kicked a 39-yard field goal.

Four plays later, the Knights stuffed Terzian on a fourth-down sneak at the one-yard line.

Harvard-Westlake’s Sam Hornblower had 64 yards in 19 carries to give him 1,041 yards rushing for the season.