This week’s 2019 scholastic football “Game of the Week” will also be a showdown for local bragging rights.
The in-town rivalry matchup between Notre Dame High School and Lawrence High School will take center stage in the township on Sept. 20. Lawrence will serve as the host to the 7 p.m. game. between two teams in the West Jersey Football League’s Patriot Division.
Notre Dame has won the last three meetings in this local rivalry game.
To start the 2019 season, Notre Dame is 2-0 overall and comes off a 42-6 victory on Sept. 13 against Allentown High School. Notre Dame launched its season with a 55-12 triumph over Ewing High School on Sept. 6.
Lawrence enters the game at 0-1.
In the team’s first two games, Notre Dame has produced a total of 97 points and held opponents to just 18 points.
Notre Dame has been balanced offensively this season, producing 439 yards through the air and with the ground attack has amassed 531 yards.
Junior quarterback Jake Renda has thrown for 242 yards and three touchdowns to guide the Irish to the two victories. Junior wide receiver Ricky Spruil has caught two touchdowns to help boost the offense.
Also sparking the attack is senior Cortaz Williams, who has accounted for 322 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 21 carries this season.
Defensively, Notre Dame has been stubborn.
The Irish has collected 28 tackles, recovered three fumbles, one of which went for a touchdown, and the unit has a sack.
Senior Quentin Autry has produced two fumble recoveries to lead the defense.
On the other side of the field, Lawrence seeks to rebound after a 21-0 loss on Sept. 13 to Hopewell Valley Central High School.
Offensively for the Cardinals, sophomore quarterback Brandon Deckard has thrown for 61 yards and one touchdown while sophomore wide receiver Gabe Mitchell White has caught three receptions for 33 yards .
For the rushing attack, Lawrence will lean on junior running back Diesel Barnes, who leads the Cards with 57 yards on the ground.
The defensive side of the ball for Lawrence will have a tough task in containing the Notre Dame offense.
However, a bright spot defensively for Lawrence is senior defensive end Kodey Lightner, who has produced two sacks. He will be a threat on the edge to Renda.