Notre Dame Prep defeated the Paradise Valley Trojans Friday night by a score of 47-35 to complete an undefeated regular season.

Senior quarterback Jake Farrell led the way for Notre Dame Prep, connecting for three touchdowns to three different receivers. Junior quarterback Ben Finley helped keep the Trojans in the game with two scores, but also surrendered three turnovers to the stingy Saints defense, as Paradise Valley dropped to 6-4 on the season.

“I’m super proud,” said Trojans head coach Greg Davis following the loss. “To say they represented our school in a way that makes a coach proud is an understatement.”

The Saints wanted to set the tone early, and they did exactly that when senior Jake Smith took the opening kickoff 60 yards for a touchdown. The Trojans would answer on their next drive, but Smith kept them chasing as he also scored the second touchdown of the game.

A low scoring first half resulted in the Trojans leading 14-13, as an interception by Kelton Metzner helped set up a touchdown by wide receiver Tristin Lee.

After the intermission, the Saints were all business. The high-powered offense struck for three touchdowns to open the half, two of which went for 45-plus yards, and opened a 33-14 lead over the Trojans.

Trojans senior captain Kevin Lutz did all he could to bring his team back on the ground, rushing for three touchdowns in the second half alone.

“The last of anything is hard, so we decided to come out, go all out and did everything we could to try to win. Sometimes it doesn’t always work out like that,” said Lutz.

The Trojans came into the game needing a win to make it to the postseason, and now with the loss their chances are slim.

“Obviously we aren’t expecting it, but if we make it, it’d be great,” said Davis.

With the Trojans losing senior playmakers Lee and Lutz, Finley was emotional when thinking about all his senior teammates departing the team.

“I’m going to miss them a lot. They put this program back on the map,” said Finley. “We’ll fuel off that and come back next season to hopefully make the playoffs.”

Players and coaches on the Trojans know the impact their seniors had on this program from the time they were just sophomores, asked to be leaders and play on varsity.

The journey beyond high school football has begun, and Lutz does not know where his path will take him yet, or if it even involves football.

“No opportunities have come my way yet, so we’ll just have to see what happens,” said Lutz.

As for the Saints, a 10-0 regular season calls for a celebration, as there are few teams able to reach that feat in a tough conference.

Notre Dame Prep will begin their playoff run at home on Friday, November 2nd.