HS football: Mater Dei overwhelms Centennial

Mater Dei, the nation’s top-ranked high school football team showed its stuff, and then some, in winning its season opener Aug. 23.

The Monarchs, the defending CIF Division 1 and state champions, downed Centennial of Corona, the nation’s ninth-ranked team, 42-14 in Santa Ana. Bryce Young threw for 191 yards and three touchdowns as Mater Dei led 35-0 at the half and coasted home.

St. John Bosco, Mater Dei’s Trinity league rival, stopped No. 8 DeMatha (Maryland) 35-7 on Aug. 24 in Bellflower, as DJ Uigalelei passed for 322 yards and two touchdowns. The Braves, ranked third nationally in Maxpreps’ preseason poll, roared back from an early 7-0 deficit and rolled up 492 yards in offense against No. 8 DeMatha.

At Gilbert, Arizona, Alemany made it two straight wins with a 55-16 rout of Higley on Aug. 23. Other results from the first week of action for most prep teams included:

• August 22: Bishop Amat 17, Diamond Ranch 0; Cantwell Sacred Heart 47, New Design (Watts) 0.
• August 23: Cathedral 21, Banning (Wilmington) 6; Mary Star 27, Gladstone 12; St. Anthony 47, Valley Christian (Cerritos) 6; Santa Margarita 33, Redlands (East Valley) 14; St. Bonaventure 38, Frontier (Bakersfield) 13; Glendora 24, Damien 7; Crespi 37, Canyon (Canyon Country) 3; St. Paul 42, St. Mary’s (Albany) 0; St. Monica (Santa Monica) 49, Capistrano Valley Christian 35; St. Bernard 27, Salesian 0; J.Serra 24, East 14; Oaks Christian 13, Chaminade 7; Firebaugh 34, Verbum Dei 16; Rocklin Whitney 38, Paraclete 10.
• August 24: Bishop Diego 51, Cabrillo (Lompoc) 6.

Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News).

Start your day with Always Forward, our award-winning e-newsletter. Get this smart, handpicked selection of the day’s top news, analysis, and opinion, delivered to your inbox. Sign up absolutely free today!