The Bishop Hendricken football team outlasted Notre Dame from West Haven, Connecticut, on Friday night, 26-21, in what may prove to be the team’s toughest test of the season.

After surrendering a touchdown run in the first minute of the game, the Hawks settled in and defended their home turf admirably, outscoring the Green Knights 26-14 from that point on to secure the non-league victory.

“I think a lot of our guys and coaches came into the game thinking maybe we can hang with them,” Hendricken head coach Keith Croft said. “I think by the end of the first half, our kids started to believe and we knew we could hang with them. That’s a great win. It’s great to win by a lot of points, but when you win close games, you learn a lot about your team. They were resilient tonight.”

Notre Dame, which boasts one of the best football programs in Connecticut, showed up ready to play from the opening whistle.

The Green Knights received the opening kickoff and it took them just a couple plays to find the end zone.

Fifty-seven seconds into the first quarter, Notre Dame junior quarterback Chris Elias found a hole in the defense and scampered in for a 55-yard score to give the road squad an early 7-0 lead.

And that would prove to be the only score of the first quarter, as the Green Knights, backed by their well-traveled crowd, held a 7-point lead after 12 minutes of play.

But that would be the only lead they would hold all night.

With 7:35 remaining in the first half, Hendricken senior running back Matt DiTondo found pay dirt from 17 yards out to even the score.

Hendricken’s offense would be nearly unstoppable after that point.

In the final minute of the half, quarterback Chris Hindle led the Hawks down the field looking to take a lead before the break.

Ultimately, he would hit Andrew Hopgood with a back-shoulder throw in the right corner of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown, giving the Hawks a 14-7 lead at the half.

That Hindle-to-Hopgood theme was just getting started, too.

Just north of two minutes into the third quarter, Hendricken was able to up its lead thanks to the athleticism of Hindle.

Notre Dame’s defense seemed to have Hindle sacked for a big loss, but he was able to elude a couple of defenders and find space before dropping a pass to a wide-open Hopgood, who sprinted 58 yards to the end zone. After a missed extra point, Hendricken led 20-7.

The Green Knights weren’t ready to get back on the bus quietly, though.

They answered with a touchdown drive that spanned just two minutes, 16 seconds, with Josh Witkowsky ultimately punching it in from 7 yards out to make it a one-score game, 20-14.

In the fourth quarter, the two heavyweights would trade scores once more.

Fifty-six seconds into the final quarter, Hindle would connect with Hopgood for a touchdown pass for the third time, completing a pass from five yards out to increase the advantage to 26-14 following another missed extra point.

After throwing for just 44 yards in the first half, Hindle finished with 179 yards, firing for 135 after halftime. He was able to utilize his favorite target too, as Hopgood reeled in six passes for 95 yards to go along with his three scores. The chemistry between those two seniors is what put the home team over the top on Friday.

“They’ve been playing together for a long time now,” Croft said about Hindle and Hopgood. “I thought Hindle had a really good game. I don’t know where he ended up stat-wise, but in terms of scrambling out of the pocket, I thought he did a really nice job. The play never died with him. And Hopgood is just phenomenal. He’s been unsung with us for a long time. I’m really happy for him. He’s a great kid and a hard worker.”

Notre Dame would answer once more, this time with 3:33 left with Elias’ second rushing touchdown of the game to cut its deficit to 26-21.

And, after a defensive stop, Notre Dame got the ball back with under two minutes left.

But a deep pass down the middle of the field was intercepted by Hendricken defensive back Zachary Brooks with 1:29 remaining to clinch the win for the Hawks.

Now, Hendricken will turn its attention this week to East Providence, its first league opponent.

The Hawks and Townies will square off at Pierce Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. on Friday night.

After coming away with a win against a quality Notre Dame football team, Hendricken is feeling good about its play as it prepares to open its league slate.

“I think this win was huge,” Croft said. “Had we lost this game, the way we played would have given us a little bit of encouragement, but to come out with a win against one of the best teams in Connecticut, I think it’s great for everybody. But we’ll enjoy this for a day and then we’ll start getting ready for EP. I think we can still do things to get better, but we’re making progress.”