An All-Around Effort Wins It for Notre Dame

In an era where multiple-sport athletes are considered a dying breed, Notre Dame High has filled up its football roster with the best baseball, basketball and track athletes in the school.

Littlerock (6-5) learned the hard way just how many talented athletes the Knights (10-1) have Friday night in a 57-20 defeat in the opening round of the Southern Section Division III playoffs.

* Cornerback Michael Luderer, an exceptional three-point shooter in basketball, made two interceptions, returning one 42 yards for a touchdown, and caught a 43-yard touchdown pass.

* Quarterback Jonathon Brewster, the Knights’ USC-bound shortstop, completed all eight of his passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran 35 yards for a touchdown.

* Tight end Chris Shibel, a triple jumper, long jumper and high jumper, caught a 26-yard touchdown pass.

* Receiver Daniel Browne, a pitcher, caught a four-yard touchdown pass.

* Linebacker Mike Barron, an outfielder, dropped tailback Rodney Woods of Littlerock for a safety.

* Tailback Trevin Lund, a pole vaulter, scored his 21st touchdown of the season and finished with 98 yards rushing in 11 carries.

* Defensive end Alec Moss, a first baseman, led a Notre Dame defense that held Woods to 63 yards before the reserves arrived late in the third quarter. Woods finished with 108 yards in 24 carries.

On and on it goes with the Knights, whose all-around athletes give Coach Kevin Rooney many options on offense and defense.

Notre Dame will play Valencia in the second round next week.

It was the second consecutive week in which Notre Dame set a school record for most points in a game. The Knights’ offense has made immense improvement since the season began, reaching peak form for the playoffs begin.

“The exciting thing is the offensive line,” Brewster said. “They’ve taken control. We’re catching the ball, we’re running the ball. Everything is coming together.”

Luderer, a 6-foot-3 junior transfer from Crespi, is on his way to becoming a college prospect in football whether he likes it or not. Blessed with speed and good hands, he has emerged as a top cornerback with five interceptions and a rapidly improving receiver.

“I think his potential is way up there,” Rooney said.

Not that Luderer is ready to abandon basketball just yet.

“I’m still a basketball player, but I’m a football player, too,” he said.

Luderer was the quarterback for Crespi’s sophomore team last season but he has finally adjusted to his new responsibilities at Notre Dame.

“I’m starting to understand everything about defense,” he said. “Receiving is very comfortable for me.”

Littlerock, fourth-place finisher in the Golden League, led, 7-6, with 5:14 left in the first quarter, on Vince Jackson’s 11-yard touchdown pass from Richard Newton.

Notre Dame scored seven consecutive touchdowns along with a safety to open a 57-7 lead late in the third quarter. Notre Dame starting offense scored on six of its seven possessions.