Notre Dame runs over Laguna Beach

With some celebrity tutelage, sophomore Washington scores three rushing touchdowns

- By Eric SONDHEIMER

NOTRE DAME quarterback Wyatt Brown displays the thrill of victory in the playoff win over Laguna Beach.

(CRAIG WESTON For The Times)

For its Southern Section Division 3 football playoff opener on Friday night against Laguna Beach, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame brought in a “ringer” assistant coach this week to get its running backs a little tougher.

Former UCLA coach De-Shaun Foster dropped by to offer lessons, particularly to his sophomore stepson, Noel Washington.

“He helped a lot,” Washington said. “Having him here means a lot. He’s been making us practice a lot harder.”

And what was the impact? Washington had touchdown runs of 35, two and 32 yards to help Notre Dame (6-5) come away with a 44-28 victory and advance to a home game next week against Chino Hills. He finished with 83 yards in Il carries.

Junior quarterback Jack Hurst of Laguna Beach and West Virginia-bound senior quarterback Wyatt Brown of Notre Dame kept making plays all night. Hurst completed 32 of 51 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns. Brown completed 17 of 22 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown. He ran for 58 yards and one touchdown.