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Fighting Irish kick off playoffs with a 55-6 win

By Brian Hillabush

No. 6 DeSales didn't give Notre Dame much of a game in the Section 5 Class D opener.

The third seeded Fighting Irish dominated from the start and rolled to a 55-6 victory and will be moving on to the semifinals next weekend against the winner of tonight's game between C.G. Finney and Perry.

Notre Dame started off the scoring with a big play when Kevin Francis returned a punt 50 yards for a score. He followed that up with a 13-yard touchdown reception from Nick Bochicchio.

Bochicchio then found Mike Pratt on a 10-yard touchdown pass and Pratt added a 5-yard touchdown run to give ND a quick 28-0 lead.

DeSales finally got on the scoreboard as Brendan Costello tossed an 8-yard TD pass to Don Derenzo, but it was all Notre Dame after that.

Kevin Schildwaster had a 17-yard touchdown run, Beau Richter scored from nine yards out with Greg Barr and Jon Corona adding late touchdown runs.

The Fighting Irish had a 313-103 yard rushing advantage in the game as Schildwaster finished the day with 12 carries for 131 yards. Pratt had 66 yards and picked off a pass and Barr finished with 61 yards on just four attempts.

Rick Lair and Craig Houseknecht both had fumble recoveries, with Houseknecht getting a sack as well.

Costello only completed 7-of-22 attempts for 80 yards as DeSales ends the year 3-4.

Notre Dame is now 5-2 and awaits the winner of tonight's game between Finney and Perry.

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