Kasdorf’s passing powers Notre Dame

A year ago, Dayne Crist was a nationally ranked quarterback for Sherman Oaks Notre Dame who signed with the University of Notre Dame.

His replacement, junior quarterback Ryan Kasdorf, is setting passing records as if Crist and his predecessors never existed.

On Saturday night, Kasdorf completed his first 10 passes and finished 18 of 23 for 275 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-0 victory over Los Angeles Loyola in a Serra League game at Glendale High.

Kasdorf has 30 touchdown passes, a school record. He has completed 69% of his passes for 2,676 yards.

“I think he’s exceptional,” Loyola Coach Jeff Kearin said. “Nobody remembers Dayne Crist. You look at this kid throw and he’s better than Crist.”

Receiver James Flynn caught touchdown passes of 42, 10 and 21 yards, giving him a school-record 16 for the season.

Third-ranked Notre Dame (9-0, 2-0) has put together an offense that has been close to unstoppable this season.

“We decided to take a chance with the no-huddle offense, and it’s paying off,” Flynn said.

People are starting to ask whether it’s Kasdorf or the spread offense that’s responsible for the Knights’ success.

“You need a great quarterback to lead the offense, and he’s stepped up,” Flynn said.

So has Flynn, a senior with tremendous hands and excellent speed.

“He’s been making great plays,” Coach Kevin Rooney said of Flynn.

Notre Dame sacked Stephen Rokus six times, including three by junior tackle D.J. Nelson. Running back Anthony Barr was limited to 88 yards until he broke off a 30-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Notre Dame is challenging Long Beach Poly (9-0) for the No. 1 seeding for the Pac-5 Division playoffs. Poly Coach Raul Lara was in the stands scouting the Knights.

The Knights learned this week that starting offensive guard Daniel Munyer has a broken arm, sidelining him for at least four weeks. Tight end Jordan Barrett was switched to offensive guard Saturday, and his tight end replacement, Tom Drachkovitch, responded with a 51-yard touchdown reception.

Two years ago, Notre Dame finished 10-0 during the regular season but lost its best lineman, Sam DeMartinis, to an injury. That was a big reason the Knights lost to Poly, 31-21, in a quarterfinal playoff game.

Loyola (5-4, 1-1) needs a victory in its league finale this week against Encino Crespi to keep its playoff hopes alive. Even Notre Dame hasn’t clinched a playoff spot. The Knights finish against La Puente Bishop Amat. It’s possible a series of coin flips will be needed to determine the Serra League’s two representatives.

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eric.sondheimer@latimes.com