Pontiac

ND Prep and Gabriel Richard to settle Catholic League title yet again

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo by Donna Agusti Dating back to last season, Notre Dame Prep coach Kyle Zimmerman and his team have won 12 consecutive games. The Fighting Irish (8-0) face Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (7-1) in the Catholic League’s Prep Bowl at 1 p.m. Oct. 22. Photo by Donna Agusti Dating back to last season, Notre Dame Prep coach Kyle Zimmerman and his team have won 12 consecutive games. The Fighting Irish (8-0) face Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (7-1) in the Catholic League’s Prep Bowl at 1 p.m. Oct. 22.

PONTIAC — There was an exchange of game film earlier this week, as is customary with high school football and the preparation for an opponent from one weekend to the next.

But leading up to the 2011 Prep Bowl, that exchange may have been more about normal protocol than actual necessity.

The truth is, there’s very little these teams don’t already no about one another — and with good reason.

“This is turning into something pretty special,” Pontiac Notre Dame football coach Kyle Zimmerman said of his team’s Oct. 22 game against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard in the Catholic High School League’s Wildcard Game of the Prep Bowl. The meeting, set for 1 p.m. at Ford Field, marks the fifth time since 2009 these teams will face one another, and the second in the Prep Bowl.

“One of the main goals we have every year is getting a chance to play in (the Prep Bowl), and with that said, I think the hope always centers on meeting a team like Gabriel Richard,” Zimmerman added. “This is going to be great for the schools, great for both football programs.”

Prep, which hasn’t won at Ford Field since back-to-back Prep Bowl titles in 2006 and 2007, enters this year’s game riding a wave of momentum and confidence few teams throughout the state can match.

Since starting 2010 with five consecutive losses, including a 24-7 setback Gabriel Richard, Prep has won 12 straight overall, is 8-0 this season and already beat Richard 48-22 on Sept. 9.

Gabriel Richard, 7-1 on the season, is seeking its third straight Prep Bowl title, having beat Dearborn Divine Child 14-0 last year and Notre Dame Prep 31-26 in 2009.

“The most points we’ve given up all year came against Gabriel Richard. They are a bigger team than us, and we expect them to use that against us,” Zimmerman said.

The 22 points allowed by Prep in the Sept. 9 win was one of only two games the defense has given up more than one touchdown, the other being a 48-14 victory against Pinconning High Oct. 14.

Prep has allowed 52 points all season.

“We know everything starts with the defense,” Zimmerman stressed. “In the game earlier this season, Richard used their size against us. Once our offense got things going, though, and we were able to take a lead, it forced them out of their game plan. If we can jump out again and make them do some things (offensively) they don’t really want to, we should be in good shape.”

One thing is for sure: Zimmerman and his guys are looking forward to the challenge this weekend is sure to present on the biggest stage the Catholic League has to offer.

“The chance to play in the Prep Bowl is what you hope and aim for, but you also consider we’re playing to remain undefeated and possibly host a playoff game,” Zimmerman explained. “There’s a lot to look forward to. This is one of those reasons why you love being part of the Catholic League.”

In other playoff action:
Football will be an all-day occurrence at Ford Field Oct. 22. Following the Prep-Richard game, Royal Oak Shrine (8-0) and Detroit Loyola (8-0) will play in the C-D Championship game at 4 p.m.

At 7 p.m., Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (7-1) and Novi Detroit Catholic Central (7-1) will play in the A-B Championship game.
 

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.