Finn Garrison is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Notre Dame Prep for AZPreps365.

It’s no secret that being able to run the ball is necessary for a successful offense, but for the Notre Dame Prep football team, it seems to determine whether they win or lose.

As a team, Notre Dame Prep (4-2) running backs have 135 carries for 905 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in their first five games.

Nearly 90 percent of those yards (808 of 905) and all 12 touchdowns have come in the team’s three wins. In the Saints’ two losses against Verrado and Brophy, the team has recorded just 97 total yards and zero touchdowns on the ground.

“Being able to establish the running game and wearing on the defense throughout the game makes them more tired,” said Saints offensive line coach Steve Bush, a former NFL tight end. “Once they crowd the box and get everyone in there, as far as safeties, it gives us the opportunity to throw the ball down the field. It expands our offense.”

After senior running back Luke Nash graduated, the Saints entered this season not knowing who was going to take the bulk of the carries. That’s when running back Andrew Vines entered the picture.

After suffering an injury early in the 2020 season that sidelined him the rest of the year, Vines worked in the offseason to return to form and become the starter.

“Andrew has worked extremely hard throughout the year,” said head coach George Prelock. “Last year he was our running back and he played against Brophy, and then the following week in practice he actually had hurt his ankle. It was (also) a shortened season because of COVID and it was a pretty bad sprain to the point where it basically shut down his season until the playoffs. … We’re hoping he continues to get better as the year goes on.”

Vines exited last Friday’s game against Campo Verde to bring his total rushing stats to 115 carries for 690 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He leads the 5A San Tan League in scoring with 64 points, according to MaxPreps.

However, for a successful running game, the running back is only half of the equation. Notre Dame Prep’s offensive linemen determine whether the player with the ball can succeed or not.

When teaching offensive linemen how to be successful in run blocking, Bush said, “It’s just the details. We have the fundamentals. We focus on fundamentals, our footwork, our targets, and our landmarks. Probably the most important thing is finishing our blocks and finishing the plays till the whistle.”

Notre Dame Prep’s offensive line also has years of experience. Four out of five starting linemen are seniors, along with junior Ty Borowski. 

“It’s super important, especially since last year we had four of these guys already starting and even then, we had three guards rotate,” said offensive tackle Duke Frye. “Having those three, I can rely on them, they’re all dogs, they’re always just there for me and I can trust them. 

“Having Jake [Burrow] at center two years in a row … he knows exactly what he’s doing. And this year we have a new addition at left tackle for Dillon Jones, but he takes to it like a duck on water and he’s just a natural athlete, so it comes easy to him.” 

To continue winning, Vines, right guard Matt Reinhardt and the rest of the linemen will have to work in unison to rack up rushing yards and scoring touchdowns on the ground.

The Saints will look to continue their three-game winning streak at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21 when they visit Maricopa.