Football: Game of the week is Notre Dame vs. Orange Lutheran

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It doesn’t get much better than Orange Lutheran (9-2) taking on Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (11-0) Friday night at Santa Ana Stadium. If there’s a defense ready to slow down the Knights’ prolific offense, Orange Lutheran might be the team.

Cornerbacks Gabe Lemon and Davonte Anderson spent weeks preparing for this game by taking on the best receivers in the Trinity League. Now they get to face James Flynn, who has caught 19 touchdown passes, Chris McNeill and Tyler Ruiz, the Notre Dame trio that has been close to unstoppable since midseason.

It will be up to Orange Lutheran defensive coordinator Thurmond Moore to come up with a game plan to contain junior quarterback Ryan Kasdorf, who has passed for more than 3,000 yards.

But Orange Lutheran also can score behind improving junior quarterback Bobby Wheatley. The Lancers have been using trick plays in recent weeks in big games, so don’t doubt they’ll have a couple ready for this Pac-5 Division quarterfinal game that’s set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

Get your shopping done and show up for a Friday night thriller. I’m not going to miss this one.

-- Eric Sondheimer