Notre Dame is back to playing meaningful games
ROBBINSVILLE >> It feels like old times in Mercer County football; as the Notre Dame High football team is once again playing a meaningful game in late October.
In what looms as the West Jersey Football League’s Game of the Week in Mercer, the streaking Irish (5-1) take a five-game winning streak to Nottingham (5-1) Saturday for a contest with major Capitol Division implications. Not to mention, a chance for each side to pick up some power points in the new United Power Rankings.
Both teams are 2-1 in the Capitol while Trenton is 3-0. An Irish win guarantees a winner-takeall regular-season finale against the Tornadoes next week. A Northstar victory sets up the possibility of a three-way tie since Trenton already beat Nottingham.
In South Jersey Group III UPR, Nottingham is seeded ninth; while Notre Dame is ninth in Non-Public 4, although all 10 schools qualify for the playoffs unless they choose to opt out.. Regardless of how that plays out, ND is enjoying its roll.
“We really want to finish this season strong,” said defensive end Tristan Tritt at Tuesday’s 12th Man TD Club Dinner at Massimo’s. “We’ve strung together a few wins but we’re never satisfied. Coach (Marc) Lordi says after a game is over we’ll talk about it at the banquet, it’s on to next week and that means Nottingham.”
Tritt was one of 10 dinner honorees from the past two weeks, earning Defensive Lineman of the Week two weeks ago for amassing 12 tackles, four sacks and a fumble recovery in a win over Hightstown. He and the Irish defense will have their hands full against running backs Ja’ier Nelson, Mark Kauffman, Alix Oge and Diontae Nicholson as Nottingham will lean more on its running game with the loss of quarterback Logan Barber (broken collarbone).
“Nottingham is an excellent team,” Tritt said. “Last year we had a very good game with them (before losing 21-16). They have a very potent running attack with a few running backs that can get to the edge. I think that if we keep doing what we’ve been doing, play our gaps, just really playing how we need to play, I think we’ll have a really good shot.” two weeks ago, says a title is long overdue at West.
“That’s everything,” Boswell said in reference to winning the Valley. “I don’t know how many banners we have in our school, but our last one was 2011. We need a recent one.
“This is a big game. We watched the film, we had a good practice (Tuesday) and we gotta bring it on Friday. Friday’s the day.”