Catasauqua head coach Phil Dorn and his staff realizes Notre Dame is regarded as a contender in most Colonial League circles as the Crusaders have a host of returnees from a .500 club last season.

Expectations were running high in Green Pond until last Friday night. The Crusaders looked for a battle with league favorite Northwestern, but instead they found themselves on the short end of a 32-6 dominated effort from the host Tigers.

So when the Roughies make the trip Friday night to Green Pond Friday night, they could be expected to enter a hornet's nest. Yet, Horn doesn't see it that way.

"We know a lot of people see Notre Dame as a team that expects to contend for the league title," said Dorn. "They have many talented players and a talented team. We know they will be hungry playing at home.

"But we are hungry team, too. We believe that we can contend for the league title."

Against Notre Dame last weekend, Northwestern took over play from the start and moved out to an 18-0 at halftime. They rolled up 211 yards rushing and held the Crusaders to minus 11 yards of total offense in the game.

Like the Roughies, the Crusaders will likely continue to rotate their quarterback spot between Nick Brotzman and Nick Basenese. Mitch Daniel is the team's leading rusher.

For the Roughies, Notre Dame will mirror some of Bangor's attributes from a week ago, but they will still have a different look.

"They (Notre Dame) have good size and their backs are quick," offered Dorn after evaluating the team on film. They like to crowd the line of scrimmage and are a downhill running team. They will look to run the ball.

"Defensively, they will go right at us, so it will be a challenge for our line to create some holes and seams for our backs. Our line will need to play as well as they did against Bangor and be aware of players coming at us from all angles."

With a seemingly must game in tow for both games in just the second week of the season, Dorn likes his team's chances to even its season mark.

"If we play the way we did against Bangor and cut down on our mistakes, we'll be fine," noted Dorn. "This will be a battle and a test for us. Our mistakes have been due to a lack of inexperience, not a lack of effort.

"This will be a good high school football game and we're confident we can come out of it ahead."