High School Football : Chaminade Sends Out a Message

When the Division VII San Fernando Valley League was formed this year, there figured to be at least one dominant team. That team would be Notre Dame, which had played last season in Division I. If Saturday night is any indication, however, there will be another team contending: Chaminade.

Chaminade cruised to a 42-0 league-opening win against St. Genevieve at Birmingham High behind the play of quarterback Greg Baumgartner. Chaminade (5-1 overall) racked up 344 yards offense, while yielding 74 yards and only 12 in the first half.

“When they play Notre Dame it’s going to be a great game,” St. Genevieve Coach Kevin Kane said. “Chaminade’s a great team and they’re well coached.”

Baumgartner, who completed 11 of 22 passes for 142 yards and threw 3 interceptions, hit receiver Jeff Burdick for the first of 2 touchdown passes with 5:06 left in the first quarter to open the scoring. Burdick made his seventh interception of the season and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter to give Chaminade a 28-0 lead.

Baumgartner’s second touchdown pass came from 11 yards out to Brady Mitchell with 6:54 to play.

Junior running back Colin Havert rushed for 71 yards in 5 carries and scored on a 48-yard run to close out the Eagles’ scoring.