PONTIAC — Notre Dame Prep achieved a significant 21-12 victory over Marine City, marking their fifth consecutive win after a rocky start to the season. The match, held on October 17, 2025, showcased a blend of strong defensive plays and timely offensive maneuvers, ultimately defining the Irish’s triumph.
Despite both teams averaging nearly 95 points per game prior to this encounter, it was Notre Dame Prep’s defense that made the crucial difference. Key red zone stops, a turnover recovery, and impactful special teams moments allowed the Irish to secure the win against the Mariners, who now hold a 6-2 record for the season.
Late in the third quarter, with the score close, sophomore Eli Volkman executed a remarkable 42-yard run. This was followed by back-to-back rushes of 13 and 12 yards from senior quarterback Lyncoln Osterland, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown run by Osterland at the start of the fourth quarter.
The Mariners, needing a two-point conversion to tie the game at 14, faced a setback when Irish senior lineman Henry Ewles blocked the extra point attempt following Marine City’s first touchdown, scored by Osterland on a 1-yard run with 9:39 left in the first half.
The defensive effort by Notre Dame Prep continued to pay off as they stopped Osterland on a run during the conversion attempt, maintaining their lead at 14-12. Head coach Pat Fox commended his team’s special teams play, stating, “We continue to make big plays on special teams… Those are big things we’ve taken advantage of a few times this year. It was a factor tonight.”
The Irish quickly extended their lead to nine points. Following a solid return by Chris Artinian to midfield, senior quarterback Sam Stowe connected with senior Drake Roa for a 42-yard gain. This set up a 6-yard swing pass touchdown to Anthony Tartaglia with 10:40 remaining in the game.
Marine City had opportunities to narrow the gap further. A facemask penalty had them positioned well on their drive following Tartaglia’s touchdown. However, after reaching Notre Dame Prep’s 22-yard line, the Mariners faced a loss on a tackle and a false start, leading to a turnover on downs.
As the clock wound down, Notre Dame Prep managed to consume nearly five minutes before Marine City could regain possession. Despite several strong drives into Irish territory, the Mariners struggled to convert, finishing the game with only 12 points.
Marine City head coach Daryn Letson acknowledged his team’s challenges, saying, “In a lot of areas, we did a nice job… We just weren’t able to convert in the red zone.”
Throughout the first half, Notre Dame Prep’s defense held strong. They made critical stops, including a fourth-and-3 at their own 6-yard line and another denial on a fourth down as Marine City attempted to score again.
Following the game, Ewles expressed confidence in his team’s defensive capabilities, commenting on the significance of holding the Mariners to just 12 points. “When they score 12 points, it’s going to be hard to lose with our high-powered offense,” he stated.
Coach Fox reflected on the team’s journey from a 1-2 start to their current winning streak, noting the resilience displayed after a significant injury delay during the game. “They limited possessions. But you get up by two scores, it’s a big deal,” he explained.
Looking ahead, the Irish, now ranked third in Division 5, will close out the regular season against unbeaten Hudsonville Unity Christian, while the Mariners will prepare for their next game against Marysville as they aim to regroup for the playoffs.
Letson remains optimistic about the challenges ahead, recognizing the need for experience in high-pressure situations. “We needed a game like this… I think it’ll be good for us, because we saw a heavy spread-type offense this week, then a power-type offense next week.”
As the season progresses, both teams aim to build on their experiences and prepare for the postseason.
