By Rich Palzewic
Contributing Writer
GREEN BAY – It was the Christian Collins show at Notre Dame Academy last night.
Fueled by a punt return for a touchdown and four rushing TDs, Collins helped lead the Tritons
to a 49-10 victory over Fox Valley Lutheran (FVL) in a WIAA Division 3 Level 2 game.
Collins rushed for 225 yards on 20 carries.
“The team gelled today, and we had some great plays out of the gate,” the junior Collins said.
“It set the momentum for the rest of the game. My linemen gave it their all today.”
After the Foxes jumped ahead 3-0 on a 27-yard field goal by Adam Loberger on the opening
drive of the game, Collins went to work.
He carried the ball five times on the Tritons’ first drive, accumulating 67 yards before going in
for a five-yard score at the 5:25 mark.
After Nicholas Gruesen’s extra point, Notre Dame led 7-3.
A few minutes later, Collins corralled an FVL punt and returned it for another score.
“That was my first punt return for a TD while on varsity,” Collins said.
Early in the second quarter, Collins was back in the end zone on a one-yard dive to make it 21-3
after the extra point.
After another Foxes punt, Collins scored his fourth touchdown of the half when he bolted 61
yards to close out the half.
“What a game by Christian – he’s been consistent all season, and he showed it again tonight,”
Notre Dame Coach Mike Rader said. “We didn’t need to throw the ball a lot tonight, but we did
some. When you have a guy like (tight end) James Flanigan, you need to keep it your arsenal.”
Ian Blom broke into the scoring column when he dashed 56 yards on the first play of the second
half out of the wildcat formation.
Late in the third quarter, Collins added his fifth TD to make it 42-3 after the extra point.
Blom added another score with about three minutes remaining in the contest.
Despite the offensive fireworks from Collins and Blom, the defense did its part in allowing only
10 points.
“The defense has come around,” Rader said. “We only returned one starter this season in
Flanigan, but a few of the other guys saw a little time as well. They worked their way up over
the years, worked hard in the weight room and now it’s their turn.”
Flanigan, who recently announced his verbal commitment to the University of Notre Dame,
nabbed three passes from quarterback Carson Glosny for 54 yards.
With the victory, Notre Dame (10-1) travels to undefeated Mount Horeb/Barneveld (11-0) on
Nov. 3 for a Level 3 game.
In the final Wissports.net Coaches Poll, Mount Horeb was ranked No. 2 in Division 3, while the
Tritons were ranked No. 3.
“They like to throw the ball,” Rader said. “It’s a long bus trip, and we’ll have to be ready to play.
It’s the first postseason game (this season) where we’ll be the underdog.”
Mount Horeb is led by quarterback Kasey Helgeson, who has thrown for more than 2,400 yards
and 26 touchdowns.