THE FIFTH ELEMENT

In chemistry class, linebacker Chris Shibel of Notre Dame High was conducting one of those elaborate experiments only a teenager would attempt.

He was making popcorn.

Only this project had more than a kernel of problems.

His lab partner, baseball player Matt Cunningham, was supposed to hold the beaker over the Bunsen burner and be ready when the super-hydrated popcorn burst with twice the normal energy.

Something went wrong, because the popcorn kernel blew the foil off the top of the beaker, oil splashed on Cunningham’s hand and the beaker crashed to the floor.

Shibel, who has a 4.1 grade-point average and 1360 SAT score, was suddenly Notre Dame’s mad scientist.

“I learned you need something more than tin foil to hold it in and don’t let Matt Cunningham hold the beaker,” he said.

Shibel got an A in chemistry, but he let defensive coordinator Joe McNab assume the role of Dr. Frankenstein in creating a defense that strikes fear in opponents.

While manchild/lineman Travis Johnson terrorizes quarterbacks, Notre Dame’s real strength is its athletic, super-intelligent group of linebackers.

“Those guys can all run,” McNab said. “It gives you a lot of options to do different things.”

Shibel, Mike Barron, Patrick Wade, Alec Moss and Trevin Lund are seniors, best friends and two-sport athletes with interests ranging from snowboarding to playing guitar in a punk rock band.

Even with Shibel declared out of a nonleague showdown Friday night against visiting Alemany (3-0) because of a sprained knee, top-ranked Notre Dame (3-0) remains ready for what could be the game of the year.

It’s Alemany’s explosive offense, featuring quarterback Casey Clausen, running back De’Andre Scott and receiver Derek Goodman, against Notre Dame’s smothering defense.

Alemany is averaging 65 points and 535 yards per game. Notre Dame has given up 19 points and is allowing 164 yards per game.

“I’m pumped and ready to prove to Alemany we can beat them,” Barron said.

Shibel might want to conduct experiments on the abrupt personality change Barron experiences on game day.

“Off the field, he’s the nicest, quietest guy,” Wade said. “On the field, he turns into another person. He goes crazy.”

During a practice drill last season, the 6-foot-4, 270-pound Johnson had the ball and was running straight at Barron, who proceeded to stop Johnson in his tracks.

“Barron put Justin Fargas on his back his sophomore year,” Johnson said. “Alex Holmes [of Harvard-Westlake] thinks he got a concussion from Barron.”

The 6-1, 195-pound Barron blames his mother for the way he plays football.

“When I put the pads on, I get into a certain type of mindset,” Barron said. “I just change. I like to hit. My mom is pretty crazy, too. I think I get my craziness from her. She goes nuts in the stands. I can’t hear her, but I hear about her the next day.”

Barron shares inside linebacking duties with Wade (6-0, 200), who’s considered the resident genius on the team with his 4.5 GPA. Wade broke an ankle last year in a 14-13 victory over Alemany, so he doesn’t need a motivational speech.

“Sometimes, when I’m tired at practice or I don’t want to go, I think it’s my senior year and it almost gives me goose bumps,” Wade said. “This is the closest bunch of guys I’ve been with.”

Shibel (6-3, 215) plays guitar and is part of a punk rock band that includes teammates Aaron Wiener, Mike Rodriguez and Jamin Mauro. He wants to be a mechanical engineer, but he’s quite an athlete, too. Besides playing outside linebacker, tight end and punter, he plays on the soccer team and competed in the long jump, triple jump and shot put for the track team.

His absence Friday will increase the responsibilities of Lund (6-0, 200), a daredevil who’s an expert snowboarder, surfer, skateboarder, dirt-bike rider and pole vaulter. During the summer, he showed up with his hair full of brown spots that resembled a leopard’s.

“None of us were surprised at all,” Wade said.

Moss (6-2, 200) is a player-coach on the field. A top baseball player, he’s a yeller and motivator. He wants to be a sports agent and knows how to gain everyone’s attention.

If Johnson isn’t recording a sack, Moss usually is. If the Knights need a big play on defense, Moss finds a way to deliver. All this from a 17-year-old who had no intention of playing football when he arrived at Notre Dame as a freshman.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Moss said. “[Quarterback] Jonathon Brewster talked me into it. He said it was a lot of fun. Now I love it.”

There’s no avoiding the task at hand Friday night at Notre Dame. It’s the best offense against the best defense in the region.

It’s “mano y mano,” as McNab put it.

“Something has to give,” Moss said. “Either they’re going to score a lot of points or they’re not.”

The linebackers intend to have their say.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

GIVE AND TAKE

When Notre Dame, The Times’ No. 1-ranked team, hosts No. 2 Alemany on Friday, the Knights’ defense will face an Indian offense that is rated tops in the region. A closer look:

ALEMANY OFFENSE

GAMES: 3

POINTS: 195

AVERAGE POINTS: 65.0

RUSHING YARDS: 613

PASSING YARDS: 991

TOTAL: 1604

AVERAGE YARDS: 534.7

*

NOTRE DAME DEFENSE

GAMES: 3

POINTS: 19

AVERAGE POINTS: 6.3

RUSHING YARDS: 171

PASSING YARDS: 320

TOTAL: 491

AVERAGE YARDS: 163.7

Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422 or eric.sondheimer@latimes.com