Coach: Mike Hennessey (32nd season)
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Last season: 7-3 (5-2 East Suburban Catholic Conference), lost to Minooka 22-19 in overtime in first round of Class 8A playoffs.
First-and-10: Notre Dame will again look to conference MVP Ty Gavin, a senior running back and defensive back, to help lead the team back to the playoffs. Notre Dame has reached the postseason in 11 of the past 12 seasons, though they’ve only made it past the first round twice during that span. Gavin rushed for more than 1,200 yards and gained another 600 yards receiving last season. “We know he’s the guy that will make or break us in our games,” Hennessey said. Three players are competing for the quarterback job, all of whom didn’t play at varsity QB last year: senior Rory O’Donnell, junior Max General and sophomore Anthony Sayles.
Three-and-out: Gavin will split his time on both sides of the ball. Last season, he was the Dons’ third-leading tackler. Gavin is on the field 90 percent of the time, Hennessey said. Other returning players on defense include seniors Patrick Carden at linebacker, Mike Tobias at defensive tackle and Brendan Sheehy at defensive end. Seniors Frank Giamarusti and Xavier Buckley are starting cornerbacks with experience.
Keep an eye on: There’s some competition at placekicker. Senior Danny Simon kicked on the varsity squad last season, and junior Matt Murphy kicked on the sophomore team. “Our kicking game is in good shape,” Hennessey said. Overall, Notre Dame lacks some experience and will need seniors who didn’t see varsity time last year, as well as juniors, to step up. The Dons only have one offensive lineman back from last season, senior Patrick Banich, plus only one returning wide receiver in senior Kyle Kozik. “We’re looking for other guys to really step up and be a part of things,” Hennessey said.
Game to watch: Aug. 24 at Geneva. “We’re kind of gearing ourselves for Game 1,” Hennessey said.
2018 schedule
8/24 at Geneva, 7:30
8/31 OAK FOREST, 7:30
9/7 MARIST, 7
9/14 at Benet, 7
9/21 MARIAN CENTRAL, 7
9/28 ST. VIATOR, 7
10/6 at St. Patrick, 7
10/12 at Carmel, 7
10/19 JOLIET CATHOLIC, 7