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For a while in the Division 3 state title game, it felt a lot like deja vu, as Catholic Memorial went up early but committed a number of mistakes to allow Notre Dame to stay in it. It was eerily similar to last year, when Notre Dame hung around and took advantage of a number of Crusader miscues to claim the title.

This time around, Catholic Memorial made some big plays and held off Notre Dame to claim a 24-14 victory and the Division 3 state championship.

It seemed we might be in for a shootout, as both teams scored on their first possessions in impressive fashion. CMH got a 70-yard touchdown run from Jaylen Campbell to get on the board quickly, but Notre Dame answered with an 11-play, 80-yard march capped by a three-yard Nate Ihlenfeldt scoring run.

Two plays after Mike Oechsner picked off Johnny Santaga, Ben Nimz found Max Cooper behind the defense for a 62-yard touchdown pass as the Crusaders went up 14-7.

Catholic Memorial had opportunities to extend the lead, but missed two field goals and committed a pair of first half turnovers, which brought to mind last year's game.

The team's struggled to get anything going in the third quarter, until Eric Fridl took a tipped pass in the flat for a 44-yard interception return score, giving Catholic Memorial some breathing room.

They'd tack on a field goal and held on for a 24-14 victory.

Jaylen Campbell rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, with Cooper catching four passes for 68 yards and a score. Fridl booted a 27-yard field goal, had the Pick-6, and finished with six tackles on defense. C.J. Goetz was a monster all game, finishing with 8 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 pass break-ups.

It is the second WIAA state title for Catholic Memorial, who also won it all in 2012.

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