It was a short night of work for Notre Dame center recruit Braxston Cave.

His No. 2-rated 5A power Penn Kingsmen (3-0) raced to a 40-0 halftime lead and then called off the dogs in the second half en route to a 47-7 victory over Mishawaka Marian High School (1-2).

It was the first meeting between the cross-town schools since 1974.

Cave helped pave the way for Penn's rushing attack, which netted 186 yards on just 14 carries in the first half. The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder also kicked off for the Kingsmen. He did not play in the second half.

Cave is part of an incredibly rich football heritage at Penn High School. The Kingsmen have won 21 straight Northern Indiana Conference titles and five state championships (1983, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2000). Penn also has finished runner-up four times in the state championship game (1989, 1991, 1999 and 2003).

Cave hails from the same high school as former Irish offensive tackle Mike Rosenthal and current center Thomas Bemenderfer.

"I think we can be as good as we want to be," said Cave of the current Penn squad. "The only ones who can beat us are ourselves. If we play our game, we can go a long way."

After a non-conference game against Indianapolis Broad Ripple this Friday, the Kingsmen return to NIC action, where they have dominated for the better part of three decades.

Cave and the Kingsmen will use the motivation of a potential undefeated season and their fifth state championship in 13 years to help offset any complacency that might set in from Penn's years of dominance.

"I don't think it's hard to get motivated at all," Cave said. "We worked so hard in the off-season. I'm only guaranteed 10 games, so I'm trying to make the most of every game."

The night before Notre Dame's game with Georgia Tech, Cave spoke confidently of his Fighting Irish squad.

"I think people are in for a rude awakening," said Cave of those who have doubted Notre Dame.

Cave has been one of Notre Dame's most energetic recruiters since committing to the Irish.

"I've just tried to make guys feel at home," Cave said. "I have them over for dinner, they meet with my family, and I try to get them to get to know people in the area."

Cave said he communicates with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Corwin Brown at least two or three times per week.

He has much to work to do before arriving at Notre Dame.

"I continue to work on my technique," Cave said. "Right now I'm pretty satisfied with my strength and power. I know at every level that will get better. But technique will take me a long way."

Cave believes in Irish head coach Charlie Weis.

"I love him," Cave said. "He's a real straight-forward guy. He tells you the truth, and that's what I like."