Mater Dei rolled, St. John Bosco survived, and one previously undefeated, highly-ranked Catholic school team was beaten in the last minute as the first games of October were played over the weekend.
To no one’s surprise, Mater Dei dispatched Orange Lutheran 53-14 in the Trinity League opener for both schools. Bryce Young three four scoring passes for the Monarchs, negating two interceptions.
But St. John Bosco — ranked second to Mater Dei locally (in the CIF-Southern Section-Division 1&2 poll) and nationally (by Maxpreps) — barely got by No. 10 Servite 27-26, with a missed extra point making the difference. Bosco’s DJ Uiagalelei and Servite’s Noah Fifita each tossed three TD passes.
J.Serra, this season’s other Trinity League power, took care of Santa Margarita 35-3. On Oct. 11, J.Serra (5-1 overall, 1-0 league) hosts St. John Bosco (6-0, 1-0), while Mater Dei (6-0, 1-0) hosts Servite (4-2, 0-1). Santa Margarita (3-3, 0-1) hosts Orange Lutheran (3-3, 0-1) on Oct. 10.
In the Mission League, Bishop Amat edged previously unbeaten Alemany 25-24, scoring a last-minute touchdown and two-point conversion to steal the win at Mission Hills. The Lancers’ win was one of three upsets in the opening week of league play, as Chaminade defeated Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 35-14, while Loyola (ranked sixth in Division 4) stunned Serra of Gardena (sixth in Division 1&2), 24-7.
The Oct. 11 games include Alemany (5-1, 0-1) at Loyola (3-3, 1-0), Chaminade (3-3, 1-0) at Bishop Amat (5-1, 1-0) and Notre Dame (4-2, 0-1) at Serra (4-2, 0-1)
The Del Rey League saw St. Anthony upend Harvard-Westlake 36-22 and St. Paul 35 blank La Salle 35-0. On Oct. 11, La Salle (4-2, 0-1) is at St. Anthony (3-4, 1-0) and St. Genevieve (4-2, 0-0) is at Harvard-Westlake (2-5, 0-1); St. Paul (5-2, 1-0) is idle.
In other league openers on Oct. 4, St. Bonaventure beat Newbury Park 34-7 (Marmonte); Grace Brethren stopped Bishop Diego 42-13 (Camino); and Upland downed Damien 21-3 (Baseline).
Non-League action last weekend included St. Pius X-St. Matthias (No. 1 in D-14) remaining unbeaten with a 48-7 thumping of Cerritos. In games featuring teams ranked in last week’s D-3 poll, La Mirada beat Cathedral (ninth) 21-17, and Paraclete (tenth) handled Righetti 42-7.
Elsewhere: St. Genevieve 27, Agoura 14; Saddleback Valley Christian 34, Bishop Montgomery 28 (OT); St. Francis 33, Mayfair 14; Sierra Canyon 51, Crespi 0; Cantwell Sacred Heart 55, Don Bosco Tech 0; Brentwood 41, St. Bernard 21.
Eight-Man Football: St. Michael’s Prep 44, Brethren Christian 20 (Express League).
