The Notre Dame Varsity Football team captured its first District Title since 2004 and second overall, coming away with a win over Ortonville Brandon 54-40.
After recovering a fumble deep in Brandon territory the Irish wasted little time jumping out to a lead as Jacob Bendtsen found Ethan Johnson for an eight-yard touchdown. Notre Dame would quickly add on two more touchdowns, as Bendtsen hit Clayton Bone for a 20-yard score and Connor Gaeschke scored on a two-yard run to put the Irish up 19-0 after a quarter. The Blackhawks fought back in the second quarter, returning an interception for a touchdown and scoring on a 19-yard screen pass to close the gap to 19-14. The Irish responded with a touchdown drive ending in a 16-yard pass from Bendtsen to Johnson to go up 26-14. Late in the quarter, Josh Edmonds came up with an interception and Bendtsen found Ryan Cueny for a three yard score to put the Irish up 33-14 at the break.
Brandon would score the first points of the third quarter but once again Notre Dame responded. Gaeschke scored on a three yard run and Bendtsen connected with Johnson for a third touchdown of the game, the time a 32 yard score to restore the lead to 47-20. After a pair of Brandon scores once again helped draw the Blackhawks closer, Caleb Webb put the game away with a 43-yard rushing touchdown for the Irish.
On the evening, Bendtsen threw for five touchdowns with 158 yards through the air. Johnson led all Notre Dame receivers with six receptions for 77 yards and three scores. As a team, Notre Dame recovered three fumbles to go along with the Edmonds interception.
The Irish now advance to the Regional Final round where they will host Flint Powers.