CLASS 3A FINAL -- NOTRE DAME 13, REDEMPTORIST 6

FINAL SCORE: REDEMPTORIST 13, NOTRE DAME 6
WOW!
If the rest of the games at this year's Nokia Sugar Bowl Prep Classic are anything like Thursday's opener, high school football fans are in for a real treat. Redemptorist rallied in the fourth quarter relying on the tried and true adage that defense wins championships.
Reggie Weams' interception set up the game-winning drive for Redemptorist midway through the fourth quarter. The Wolves defense did the rest.
Notre Dame had nowhere to go in the second half and the entire student body of Redemptorist can thank that defense for a state title.
Oh, and they may want to thank quarterback Justin Rogers who looked like a Houdini in shoulder pads the way he was escaping tacklers, creating plays and finding receivers. His game-winning touchdown throw to Teron Scott wasn't pretty, but it found its target and the Wolves are state champs...That's No. 2 in four seasons for those keeping track...
-Brian Vernellis, 10:36 p.m.

HERE IT IS, THE FOURTH QUARTER...
Redemptorist is finally beginning to move the ball against Notre Dame. Brent Grimes has been a steady workhorse in the Wolves' game plan. The Wolves have taken advantage of some great field position to march inside Notre Dame territory.
The Wolves are down to the ND 23-yard line now, but a motion penalty has back them up five yards. Redemptorist has got to find a way to break the Pioneers defense. As soon as I write that, the Wolves just connected on a 28-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 6-6. The PAT is wide! We're tied at 6!
-Brian Vernellis, 8:44 p.m.

ONE HALF DOWN
This first half has flown by. Notre Dame is punting the ball back to Redemptorist from their own 23-yard line with 50 seconds left to go in the half. After Notre Dame's touchdown, it's been a defensive battle as the teams exchange field position.
Notre Dame defensive tackle Kyle Jones has been a force inside. He just sacked Redemptorist's Justin Rogers to close out the half.
Neither team's offense has gained any rhythm.
-Brian Vernellis, 7:54 p.m.

ON THE MOVE AGAIN
Redemptorist muffed a punt and Notre Dame recovered deep inside Wolves' territory. The Pioneers took advantage of an early turnover and look to captialize again. They are driving to the Redemptorist 6-yard line, but the Wolves have held fast so far.
Redemptorist just came up with another sensational special teams play...they blocked the PAT of Notre Dame's touchdown and they just blocked a 26-yard field goal attempt....Notre Dame 6, Redemptorist 0 (8:45 left in the first half).
-Brian Vernellis, 7:36 p.m.

BIG TURNOVER
Redemptorist's third play from scrimmage results in an interception by Notre Dame's Stephen Hundley and the Pioneers are driving.
-Brian Vernellis, 7:07 p.m.

HERE THEY COME!
I'm already freezing in the Independence Stadium press box, but both teams came charging on to the field at the same time to give me even more chills. It was a scene right from Tiger Stadium as both sides of fans jumped out of their seats to welcome the teams. For the coin toss, the entire Redemptorist team - all 70 of them - joined its team captains on the field.
-Brian Vernellis, 7:05 p.m.

KICKOFF IS NEAR
It's 20 minutes to kickoff and it looks like Notre Dame has the larger contingent of fans for the 3A title game. The cold weather hasn't deterred anyone's spirits though; both sides are ready to go! Fans were already lining up for the stadium to open when Brian and I pulled up -- at 5:30!
-Brian Vernellis, 6:40 p.m.

UPDATES ALL NIGHT
Tonight in this spot, we will have running commentary on the game. Follow the action if you can't be at the stadium.
- Brian McCallum

WEATHER IS BRISK TO SAY THE LEAST
The skies are clear so far for the first day of the Nokia Sugar Bowl Prep Classic, three hours from the first kickoff. The ground is wet in places, because the precipitation started last night, sometime before 8 p.m.The temperature is not so pleasant, however. It is supposed to reach 48, but the wind is making it seem much colder. Dressing warm is mandatory for tonight. The sun is helping, but that will be gone before kickoff.
- Brian McCallum