Notre Dame Marist Academy football's 7-8th-grade team finished its 2016 campaign on Saturday at Ford Field with a 12-0 shutout of St. William. With the win, the Fighting Irish captured the regional championship of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and posted an undefeated 9-0 season.
During Saturday’s contest, which led off a full day of CYO and CHSL football at the annual Prep Bowl, eighth-grader Jacob Bendtsen picked up a St. William’s fumble and returned it 85 yards for Notre Dame’s first score.
Later in the game, eighth-grader Jack Risi hauled in an 18-yard TD pass from Bendtsen for the team’s second score of the contest. The Irish defense also played a stellar game keeping the Crusaders off the scoreboard.
About the CYO:
CYO Athletics is a parish-based program that is dedicated to the development of youth as a student athlete by encouraging them to express Catholic values, sportsmanship and fair play that leads to a positive athletic experience. The CYO sponsors league play and playoffs for boys and girls in grades 5 – 8 in spring, fall and winter for baseball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track and volleyball.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manages its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.