The Gardena Serra Cavaliers pulled out a thrilling 26-23 road victory over the Notre Dame (CA) Knights in front of a raucous crowd in Sherman Oaks Friday night.

The first half was dominated by the defensive side of the ball as both teams struggled to produce. Notre Dame led 3-0 at the intermission.

The second half got off to a dramatic start when Serra forced a fumble on the opening kickoff after a crushing hit by the Cavaliers defender Malik Roberson.

Practice tempo has been hyped ALL WEEK. We've prepared to come out against Chino with a hard push up front in the trenches with both our offense & defensive line. Last year we suffered a lost to Chino for our first game.

Then getting knocked out in the 2nd Round of Playoffs by Muir High School. This time, our team mentality is going ALL OUT & giving it your all. Now that it's my junior year, I'm trying my best to lead my team with a hype mentality but a humble heart as well. We all worked so hard ever since the off season, now tomorrow will determine which team wants it more.

Practice has been good this week. We have all mentally and physically prepared ourselves for this challenge versus Notre Dame this week. Last year we lost our first opening game versus Notre Dame since 2007 and then we lost in the 1st Round of playoffs to Culver City. It hurt our team badly. We want to seek redemption and put everything we have on the field tomorrow.

Chris Hawkins is the truth. If you don't believe it, you can watch him lockdown receivers and breakup passes with his thumb in a cast. Better yet, take a close look at Hawkins as he explodes through his hips, in and out of a smooth backpedal. The 2013 USC commit is just as advertised.

Since its inception in 1999, ESPN Rise’s Elite 11 quarterback competition has provided an invaluable service in the development of highly touted high school prep athletes preparing for the college level.

Previous participants include Tim Tebow, Matt Leinart, Vince Young and Matthew Stafford, all currently in the NFL.

The 2012 installment of the Elite 11 competition took place in Southern California and was led by former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer. The primary goal of the camp is to draw out the maximum potential in each of the 25 signal callers.

In 2010, USC was dealt a hand of cards that would cause most players to immediately fold. The Trojans were hit with NCAA sanctions that sent recruits like Seantrel Henderson (OL) running for the hills. Henderson decommitted from USC and ended up with the University of Miami Hurricanes, where he was recently suspended from spring practice for a violation of team rules. The grass isn't always greener.

As class of 2012 high school recruits are opening fall practices for their respective colleges, a new class of prospects enter the recruiting ranks. This year's class of high school seniors now look to make their mark on the HS football recruiting landscape. Practices have begun for the 2012 HS football season and teams are eagerly awaiting week one matchups.

Inglewood High School has been preparing for the 2012 campaign since midway through last season. Head Coach Stephen Thomas watched his squad slip to a 1-5 record through the first 6 games of 2011, but that's when things changed.