Back in the summer of 1989, the Chicago Cubs, nicknamed "The Boys of Zimmer" due to their manager being Don Zimmer, captured the hearts of Chicagoians everywhere with their winning antics on the baseball diamond.

This fall, Oakland County has its own version of the Boys of Zimmer on the prep gridiron in the Pontiac Notre Dame Fighting Irish – coached by Kyle Zimmerman. AND They're capturing quite a few hearts and minds these days by CRUSHING the competition at every opportunity.

The 2011 NDP football squad is CRAZY GOOD and poised to make a run at having the best season in school history. I was out at the Fighting Irish's demolishing of Madison Heights Bishop Foley last Friday night and let me just say I was VERY IMPRESSED at what I got a gander at.

Over the last three games, TEAM ZIMM has averaged 45 points per game and has outscored its opponents 134-28. Ford Field and the CHSL Championship Game are calling their name. However, unlike what went down back in '09, I predict the Green and Gold will be the ones hoisting the hardware at game's end.

Owners of a 5-0 record heading into their game with Dearborn Divine Child in Week 6, the Fighting Irish are riding a nine-game winning streak dating back to the 2010 season.

NDP is stacked with super tough and talented seniors. These guys are DEEP and love to get DOWN-and-DIRTY in between the sidelines.

Quarterback Danny Durkin is the pace-setter for the team's offense. He's sturdy and efficient and can make the big throw when needed. Shane Frakes and "Good Looking" Jake Romeo are a fantastic tandem in the backfield, with Frakes bringing the THUNDER, as the squad's power back and Romeo, providing the LIGHTNING, as NDP's fleet-footed edge specialist.

Big and sure-handed Troy Sassack is as good as any wide receiver in the Catholic League. He's a pretty impressive defensive back as well, demonstrated by a 31-yard PICK-6 against Bishop Foley.

Patrick Bartoli can do a little bit of everything, whether rushing the pigskin, catching it out of the backfield, returning kicks, or splitting out wide at receiver. Holding things down in the trenches for the OC GOLDEN DOMERS is Bobby Secord and Conner Servone, a pair of SWAG NASTIES, who don't mind deferring the headlines in favor of being the meat and potatos of the squad up front.

In addition to NDP's outstanding senior class, the program's youth movement is also bearing fruit. Sophomore Jeremiah Johnson, who also sees time in the Fighting Irish backfield, is a STAR in the making, with moves as good as any sophomore I've seen this year.

WAR the BOYS OF ZIMMER aka TEAM ZIMM aka the NDP FIGHTING IRISH running the table for the rest of the season!!!!!