Simi Valley beats Notre Dame in CIF Southern Section Division 3 football playoffs

SIMI VALLEY — On a chilly, foggy Friday evening at Simi Valley High School, the offense for both the Simi Valley and Notre Dame football teams was anything but.

The Pioneers turned up the heat quickly, scoring a touchdown on its opening possession courtesy of a 7-yard run by Brice Hawkins.

The senior running back added two more rushing touchdowns in the first half to pace Simi Valley on its way to a 49-47 victory over Notre Dame in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs.

Hawkins added to his total in the second half with another rushing touchdown and a receiving score.

The senior running back finished with 206 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards and five total touchdowns.

“We should have played better today but my O-line came out again and gave me five tuddies on the board,” Hawkins said. “I think now I should be number one in California for touchdowns. I’m so grateful for my O-line and it was a great win.”

Simi Valley’s defense was tasked with trying to stop Notre Dame quarterback Steele Pizzella.

Pizzella, who used to play for Simi Valley, showcased his running ability to go along with his arm talent, throwing for over 200 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for over 100 yards and a touchdown.

He had an 80-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter that brought the Knights to within two points of the Pioneers.

Simi Valley honed in on Pizzella at practice all week, even changing its defensive formations to better match up against the senior dual-threat quarterback.

“It’s his speed that kind of got us. We prepped for it this week, we changed the whole D-line coverage,” said Brody Samon, who switched from defensive end to defensive tackle specifically for this game. “Izak [Simpson] is a behemoth. We get to the ball, we work our butts off every week at practice.”

Luc Weaver caught three of Pizzella’s touchdown throws and Tre Fernandez had two scores, one through the air and a rushing score.

Zane Tryon, who transferred from Notre Dame, added a rushing touchdown for Simi Valley.

Notre Dame’s Steele Sliwoski scored nearly a 70-yard touchdown off a fumble recovery.

With the victory, Simi Valley advances to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs.