Notre Dame was first on the scoreboard, but it was all Red Bank from there Friday night at Tom Weathers Field. The Lions stifled an explosive Irish offense to claim a 21-3 win and take the Region 3-3A football title on senior night.
Red Bank (7-3, 5-0) held the visitors scoreless from the 4:48 mark in the first quarter - a Rhys Robertson 37-yard field goal - and Notre Dame (6-4, 4-1) scratched out just 193 yards of total offense.
"That's the highest scoring offense in our region, and we were able to shut them down," Lions coach Chad Grabowski said. "Our defense was lights out, and our guys played an outstanding game. They played hard for 48 minutes."
The Red Bank offense did not muster much in the first half, either, as the halftime score was 3-0 in favor of Notre Dame, but a consistent rushing attack finally started to crack the Irish defense.
Zay Brown carried the load for the Lions with 28 carries for 110 yards. Brown also got his team on the board with a 5-yard run in the third quarter. The lead only grew from there.
Versatile quarterback Calvin Jackson did not need to do much with his arm, instead helping Brown pound it on the ground with 18 carries of his own. His 6-yard run with 30 seconds to go made it 14-3 after the extra point. Jackson finished with 93 yards on the ground.
"I have to give it to our offensive line," Grabowski said. "They did exactly what they needed to do to help us win tonight."
On the other side, Notre Dame's running game struggled, and the Irish never seemed to get into a rhythm. One of its best scoring chances late in the game ended with a running back being stonewalled on fourth-and-goal.
"I feel like we lost the game on special teams, and our offense just couldn't run the ball," Notre Dame coach Charles Fant said. "We knew after they played Alcoa they were a fantastic football team, and it goes to show that when kids believe in what you're doing, good things happen."
Part of the Irish's struggles have stemmed from injuries, especially at the quarterback position. Parker Brock stepped in Friday alongside Cameron Wynn, completing 11 of his 17 passes.
"He's a tough kid," Fant said of Brock. "It's hard when you don't have reps and experience, so that will be the biggest thing going forward is getting him reps. But I appreciate the reads he made tonight, and he threw it to the right kids."
With time ticking down in the fourth quarter and a high-powered offense, Notre Dame was still looking to find its way back into the contest down 14-3, but Red Bank's defense made its biggest statement. Nate Doss picked off a pass and headed straight for the end zone to effectively ice the game with 2:22 remaining.
Notre Dame got the ball back, but another interception allowed Red Bank to run out the clock.
"Everyone's goal is to win a state championship, and now we have that chance," Grabowski said. "Every week we win is another step."
Contact Idris Garcia at sports@timesfreepress.com