The Notre Dame Varsity Football team rallied to pick up a win in the MHSAA District opener 27-23 over Goodrich.
The Martians led 13-0 following the first quarter, scoring on a 46-yard touchdown run (extra point was no good) and a 67- yard interception return for a touchdown. After recovering a fumble, the Irish got on the scoreboard with 3:44 left in the second quarter courtesy of a Daniel Nemmert 3-yard touchdown run. Following a stop on defense, Notre Dame got the ball back for one final drive in the half and on a third down and long Eli McLean found Nemmert for a 78-yard touchdown pass to put the Irish up 14-13 going into the half.
Goodrich would take the lead back with just over 4 minutes to play in the third quarter, scoring on a 19-yard touchdown pass to go up 20-14. Notre Dame once again had the answer, as Nemmert would score his third touchdown of the game on a 19-yard pass from McLean on the ensuing drive. The extra point attempt was no good and the game would be tied 20-20 early in the fourth quarter. Goodrich would take the lead back at 23-20 with a 24-yard field goal with just over 4 minutes to play, setting up one final Irish drive. After several conversions, including a long fourth down pass from McLean to Josh Montpas, the Irish opened up the play book in the redzone as an 8-yard touchdown pass from halfback Ryan Knutson to Montpas gave Notre Dame a 27-23 lead with 1:06 remaining. The defense would hold off the Martians in their final attempt to give the Irish the road win.
McLean finished with 258 passing yards and 2 touchdowns while Nemmert had 113 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns to go with 20 rushing yards and a score. Cueny had a team-high 6 receptions for 62 yards.
Notre Dame, now 8-2 overall, will host Williamston in the District Final.