The Notre Dame Pond football team concluded an impressive 12-1 season last Friday with a 35-14 loss to Northwestern Lehigh in the District XI 3A championship. 

The game began competitively, but Northwestern Lehigh struck first with a 2-yard touchdown run. Notre Dame-Green Pond answered in the second quarter as Jonathan Striba powered in a 5-yard touchdown run, tying the score at 7-7. However, the Tigers surged ahead with two long touchdown runs before halftime, taking a 21-7 lead. Striba added a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, keeping the Crusaders within striking distance, but Northwestern Lehigh continued to dominate on the ground, ultimately pulling away in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Matt Bodnar threw for 202 yards on 15-of-25 passing, finding Drew Boyd often, as the junior finished with eight receptions for 103 yards. Striba, Thomas Murphy, and Faust Capobianco led the ground attack, while the defense was anchored by Kalet Wilson’s 10 tackles and Joshua Scherer’s two tackles for loss. Despite four turnovers that disrupted offensive rhythm, the Crusaders battled to the end.

The loss closed the book on what was one of the strongest statistical seasons in program history. NDGP’s offense amassed more than 5,200 total yards, powered by over 3,000 passing yards and 43 passing touchdowns from Bodnar, while Striba, Boyd, Alex Clark, and Murphy formed one of the region’s most productive skill groups. Defensively, Wilson, John Hull, and Garrett Grants led a unit that recorded over 100 tackles for loss and 16 interceptions. Special teams received steady production from kicker Clemente Cintron and return standouts Striba and Boyd.

The 12-win campaign will be remembered as one of the most successful in recent program history. The team’s effort, resilience, and camaraderie throughout the season set a high standard for the future and left the Notre Dame community proud of the accomplishments of these student-athletes.