Earlier this decade Notre Dame Prep was one of the new kids on the block. Playing its first varsity season in 2004 (independent schedule), the Saints began a journey to titledom that saw them nab back-to-back state titles in 2007 and 2008 in 4A-II. That independent-schedule record in 2004 wasn't pretty (1-9). Their first season as a member of a 4A-II region in 2005 was a little better at 3-8. Then a bigger step to a 7-5 season and one playoff win. Next the title years. Last year, 7-4 and a first-round playoff losts.

Williams Field, now playing the role of new kid on the block, perhaps achieved too much, too fast. The Black Hawks were 8-3 as an independent in 2008. They won their first nine games last year in their first year competing in 4A-II for a state  title. Lost the regular-season finale to Arcadia. Then dropped their playoff game the following week to Amphitheater. An abrupt end to an upstart season.

But Williams Field coach Steve Campbell identified the Black Hawks meeting with Notre Dame last year as a measuring stick. His opinion hasn't changed this year as for the second year in a row Williams Field and Notre Dame clashed Friday night with identical 5-0 records overall and 2-0 in the East Sky Region.

Although beaten statistically, the Black Hawks have learned to win. Find ways to win.  They did it again, this time on Notre Dame's home turf at Scottsdale Community College with a come-from-behind 21-16 victory.

Williams Field accomplished its second win in as many tries with Notre Dame despite not having its leading rusher Alex Howard (sat out for disciplinary reasons). The Black Hawks also were outgained a whopping, 467-212. And with only three starters back from last year, that's been something that's kept Campbell smiling as they've retooled for this season. The program winning at all levels has helped. 

Williams Field's freshmen, junior varsity and varsity are all 2-0 against Notre Dame. Once they make their way to varsity they've proven they are ready to win.

"I'm very proud of this team," Campbell said after Friday night's triumph. "They have the mentality that the next person will step up and get the job done They care more about  doing things for the Black Hawks than anything else."

That was evident in how Williams Field prevailed in meeting No. 2 with Notre Dame. The Black Hawks trailed 10-0 early in the second quarter. It looked like Notre Dame might be able to steamroll them with running back Korey Jones chewing up yardage at will on nearly every carry. Jones 5-yard touchdown run capped a 97-yard drive. At that point Williams Field, which has dominated its opponents on the ground, had just 38 yards of offense.

Quarterback Tom Ross responded leading an 8-play, 61-yard drive that ended with a TD pass to wide out J.D. Layton that cut the deficit to 10-7 with 4:26 left in the half.

Less than two minutes later, Williams Field responded by stopping Notre Dame with a three-and-out followed by a blocked punt by safety Scott Fowkes. Cornerback Jason Masterson scooped up the blocked kick inside the 10 and trotted to the end zone with the play that put the Black Hawks ahead to stay, 14-10.

"We had a punt block for this week," Fowkes said. "I was able to come in untouched with their receiver wide. We thought we could do it. It was a game-changer."

Williams Field's offense didn't improve much in the second half. Twenty-five yard in the third period. Nineteen in the fourth midwat through that period until Ross scrambled out of the pocket and turned a near loss into a 55-yard TD run that put the Black Hawks in front,  21-10, with 4:45 left to play.

With Williams Field on the same pace as last year, Campbell refuses to look ahead past the next opponent although the way last year ended is what he wants to see change this year..

"We still have to get better in a lot of areas," Campbell said.