Notre Dame quarterback Julian Matera, right, is tackled by Paul VI linebacker Jaylen Bishop, left, during a WJFL game on Friday night at Msgr. Walter Nolan Field in Lawrence Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Notre Dame defenders Sebastian Jastrzebski, left, and Ryan Peterson, right, celebrate a stop against Paul VI during a WJFL game on Friday night at Msgr. Walter Nolan Field in Lawrence Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Notre Dame running back Jayden Davis, back, makes a move around Paul VI defensive back Elijah Wilson, front, during a WJFL game on Friday night at Msgr. Walter Nolan Field in Lawrence Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Notre Dame running back Jayden Davis, center, is tackled by Paul VI linebacker Moe Keshen, right, and defensive back Nicholas Ried, left, during a WJFL game on Friday night at Msgr. Walter Nolan Field in Lawrence Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Notre Dame defensive lineman William Napier, right, hits Paul VI quarterback Daulton Phalines, left, as he releases the ball during a WJFL game on Friday night at Msgr. Walter Nolan Field in Lawrence Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Paul VI wide receiver Tyree Roane, right, is tackled by Notre Dame defensive back Aldric Crawford, left, during a WJFL game on Friday night at Msgr. Walter Nolan Field in Lawrence Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Notre Dame wide receiver Wyatt Moore, left, catches the ball as he's covered by Paul VI defensive back Tyree Roane, right, during a WJFL game on Friday night at Msgr. Walter Nolan Field in Lawrence Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Notre Dame wide receiver Wyatt Moore, left, runs past Paul VI defensive back Kevin Alexander Hamilton-West, right, during a WJFL game on Friday night at Msgr. Walter Nolan Field in Lawrence Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Show Caption1 of 8Notre Dame quarterback Julian Matera, right, is tackled by Paul VI linebacker Jaylen Bishop, left, during a WJFL game on Friday night at Msgr. Walter Nolan Field in Lawrence Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Expand LAWRENCE TWP. — Despite its multitude of successful seasons, the one thing that quite often had been missing on the Notre Dame High School football team’s resume was victories over quality parochial opponents. This changed in grand style Friday night when Notre Dame played one of its best games in years and improved its seeding for the playoffs by posting an impressive 27-19 triumph over Paul VI. Although the most lasting impression were some incredible receptions by senior Wyatt Moore, who ended up catching three of quarterback Julian Matera’s four touchdown passes, it was a team effort by the Irish (5-2). This included a defense that got torched for 51 points in a loss to Paul VI last year in the playoffs. Obviously, it was a much different story this time around. Other than a 21-yard touchdown run on the game’s opening series, Notre Dame pretty much completely shut down the Paul VI running game by limiting the Eagles to 60 rushing yards. Paul IV quarterback Daulton Phalines did get off to a fast start as his team got out to a quick 13-0 lead by scoring a second TD at the start of the second quarter. But as the game progressed all of that changed. Phalines ended up completing just 14 of 32 passes and although Paul VI did score a third touchdown to take a 19-14 lead late in the third quarter, that score came after a seemingly endless succession of penalties against the Irish. “Sure we remember what happened last year,” said Notre Dame defensive end Will Renda, who also caught Matera’s other touchdown pass. “They lit us up last year, but this time we had a great (defensive) game plan.” In addition to avenging last year’s loss to Paul VI, what made this even sweeter is Notre Dame did it by coming back after falling in the 13-0 hole. At the time, it looked like it might be another one of those frustrating games for the Irish. Instead, early in the second quarter Notre Dame got on the board when Matera threw a perfectly led 18-yard pass to Moore in the corner of the end zone. This touchdown was set up by a 45-yard halfback option pass by Musa Kamera to Max Petzer. Notre Dame’s next drive also went the distance when Renda caught a 20-yard touchdown pass down the middle in which he held onto the ball after getting hit at the goal line. As mentioned above, Paul VI did regain the lead on an 80-  yard, third-quarter drive that bordered on the ridiculous as the Irish were penalized six times. One of those penalties was for unsportsmanlike conduct, another was for a personal foul and there was also a pass interference call right in front of the end zone. No matter because a determined Notre Dame squad shrugged off the flag-happy officials and struck right back when Moore caught a perfect 56-yard pass from Matera in full stride and raced the last 25 yards into the end zone. Moore later caught a six-yard pass to cap a 72-yard drive in the fourth quarter to make the score 27-19. With the Irish now ahead by eight, it was still a one-score game. But a Paul VI drive in the final minute stalled and Notre Dame got the ball back on downs. “It was definitely the best win we’ve had since I’ve been here along with last year against Hopewell,” said Renda, who is expected to have a big year with the school’s wrestling team. “They are a great team, but we put a big X on this game on our schedule.” Echoed Moore, who had several catches of the spectacular variety: “It was easily the best win we’ve had. We were looking for respect and we did it by coming from behind. We have a saying ‘All gas, no brakes,’ and that’s what you saw tonight.” Paul VI (4-2) 6 7 6 0 – 19 Notre Dame (5-2) 0 14 0 13 – 27 PVI-Wilson 21 run (kick failed) PVI-Klecko 2 run (Sholder kick) ND-Moore 18 pass from Matera (Swiatek kick) ND-Renda 20 pass from Matera (Swiatek kick) PVI-Jackson 1 run (pass failed) ND-Moore 56 pass from Matera (pass failed) ND-Moore 6 pass from Matera (Swiatek kick)