Silverdale Baptist Academy Edges Out Notre Dame
A final-minute field goal secures a dramatic 34-31 victory for the Seahawks.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Football
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Silverdale Baptist Academy defeated Notre Dame 34-31 after Ethan Givens successfully kicked a 27-yard field goal in the final minute. The win improves Silverdale to 5-3 on the season, while Notre Dame falls to 4-5.
Why it matters
The outcome was heavily influenced by special teams miscues, as Notre Dame struggled with execution throughout the game. Silverdale leveraged these errors and a strong rushing performance to narrowly secure the win.
Jackson Deitch paced the Silverdale offense with 146 rushing yards on 13 carries. Notre Dame was hindered by 17 total penalties in the contest, including 13 committed during the first half alone.
The players
Silverdale Baptist Academy
This is a private educational institution that maintains a competitive high school football program in the Chattanooga area.
Notre Dame
This is a local high school that fields a football team competing within the regional athletic conference.
Ethan Givens
He is a placekicker who secured the victory for his team by converting a critical field goal in the final minute.
Jackson Deitch
He is a lead running back who contributed significantly to his team's offensive success with over 140 rushing yards.
The details
Silverdale capitalized on Notre Dame errors by recovering two fumbled snaps for touchdowns. Deitch carried the ball on five of the team's final seven plays to position the squad for the decisive field goal.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: Silverdale Baptist defeated Notre Dame.
October 30, 2026: Silverdale plays Chattanooga Christian.
Season Trajectory
This win keeps Silverdale Baptist in contention for a stronger seed as the regular season concludes. The result complicates the path for Notre Dame, which now faces a challenging finish to its schedule.
Notre Dame must address its high penalty count to remain competitive in its upcoming home game against Knoxville Grace. Conversely, Silverdale's ability to capitalize on turnovers provides a blueprint for their next matchup.
The takeaway
Discipline remains the deciding factor in close high school contests as evidenced by Notre Dame's penalty-riddled performance. Teams that can maintain composure and avoid critical errors in the final minutes are significantly more likely to walk away with a win.
What happens next
Silverdale Baptist is scheduled to face Chattanooga Christian on October 30, 2026. Notre Dame will host Knoxville Grace on the same date.
Further reading
For more updates from the gridiron, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Timesfreepress.
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