"It was our best game of the year," said DiPietro, who is in his first year as head coach after running the offence for the past 12 years. "We can use this as a stepping stone, but we want to peak next week."

DiPietro said his roster has what it takes to be carry on Lakeshore's control of top-level Niagara high school football.

"I think it's ingrained in the kids," he said. "They're used to winning and everyone expects it. Our kids are winners. They know how to win."

The Gators' path for victory last week was on the ground, as their two tailbacks, Corey Davidson and Hoas Langeraap, each scored in the game's first nine minutes, setting the tone with an early 14-0 lead, one the team gained without a pass attempt.

Lakeshore added two more points with a pair of special team singles, but Notre Dame showed life in the final seconds of the first half following a big catch and run by Mike Marquis from Irish pivot Jonathan Mataya, closing the gap to 16-7.

From then on, it was all Langeraap, who scored three second-half touchdowns and sealed the Gators victory at 36-10.