The Notre Dame Jugglers are returning to its first Quadra Cup football final in nearly three decades.
The Grade 8 high school football team advanced to next week's B.C. high school provincial final at B.C. Place Stadium following a 30-0 win over three-time defending champion Lord Tweedsmuir.
Steven Moretto, the hero of Hastings Little League's run to the World Series last summer, rushed for nearly 100 yards and three touchdowns in the shutout win at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex-West on Tuesday.
Mathew Manetta also scored a touchdown on the ground, as well as a second through the air.
Joseph Santalucia added 55 rushing yards and Piereluigi Ferronato played tough defense for the Jugglers.
"We're very excited," said Notre Dame coach Joe Garcea. "(Lord Tweedsmuir) has been a powerhouse the last four or five years."
Earlier this season, the Surrey team outscored Notre Dame 59-34 in a barnburner.
Along the way, Notre Dame had important wins over its independent rivals, beating Vancouver College 16-6 and St. Thomas More 24-7 in back-to-back weeks for the first time in 15 years.
The last time the Jugglers made it to a Grade 8 grid final was back in 1985 - the final year of a three-season championship banner run.
"We have a great class. They're amazing," said Garcea. "We began back in May and just how much we've improved from day one has been profound."
The first-year Jugglers will face AA conference champion G.W. Graham in the Quadra Cup final at B.C. Place on Saturday, Dec. 1.
