Division 1 Championship Preview: Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco
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The two best teams in the nation, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, will play at the Rose Bowl for the Southern Section Division 1 championship Friday. Since 2016, St. John Bosco is the only team to beat Mater Dei.…
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Continue ReadingThe two best teams in the nation, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, will play at the Rose Bowl for the Southern Section Division 1 championship Friday.
Since 2016, St. John Bosco is the only team to beat Mater Dei. Mater Dei has won 29 consecutive games since its last loss against Bosco in the 2019 Division 1 championship game.
The two teams met earlier this season when Mater Dei beat the Braves 17-7 at Santa Ana Stadium.
Mater Dei held St. John Bosco to 292 yards of total offense in that game. Jeilani Davis Jeilani Davis 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Mater Dei | 2024 State CA led the Monarchs with 13 tackles that night. Zabien Brown Zabien Brown 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Mater Dei | 2024 State CA and Daryus Dixson Daryus Dixson 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Mater Dei | 2025 State CA each had interceptions for the Monarchs.
Let’s break this game down in sections.
ST. JOHN BOSCO OFFENSE
One thing the Braves can point to as a reason for their loss to Mater Dei, is that starting quarterback Pierce Clarkson Pierce Clarkson 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA left the game at halftime due to a concussion and Chauncey Sylvester Chauncey Sylvester 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB St. John Bosco | 2024 State CA missed the game entirely.
Caleb Sanchez Caleb Sanchez 6'4" | 225 lbs | QB St. John Bosco | 2024 State CA filled in admirably but the Braves only completed 14 passes for 106 yards.
Bosco got big plays in the passing game against Mission Viejo with long touchdowns to Israel Polk Israel Polk 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA and Jahlil McClain Jahlil McClain 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA .
One thing I expect from Bosco is to use Matayo Uiagalelei Matayo Uiagalelei 6'5" | 265 lbs | DL St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA more in the passing game. He is a matchup nightmare, even for Mater Dei and the Braves will go to him when desperate for points.
MATER DEI FRONT 7
I think Mater Dei’s front seven on defense is one of the best units in the state.
The interior of the defensive line is big with Zeus Venegas Zeus Venegas 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL Mater Dei | 2024 State CA and Aydin Breland Aydin Breland 6'5" | 290 lbs | DL Mater Dei | 2024 State CA . Nasir Wyatt Nasir Wyatt 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Mater Dei | 2025 State CA has emerged as an elite edge player who is in the backfield constantly.
Levi Sua Levi Sua 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Mater Dei | 2023 State CA is a favorite of Bruce Rollinson at middle linebacker. He’s a sure-tackler and can drop into coverage well. Ramere Davis Ramere Davis 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Mater Dei | 2024 State CA has been playing well and Rylan Vagana Rylan Vagana 6'1" | 200 lbs | DB Mater Dei | 2024 State CA is a sleeper.
Bosco’s offensive line did not do a good job protecting its quarterbacks in the first game. Sean Haney Sean Haney 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA is a great pass blocker at center but the Braves will need a big game from Sean Na’a Sean Na’a 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA and their other linemen.
MATER DEI RUNNING BACKS
Bosco did a nice job containing the Mater Dei running backs in the first game except for a late touchdown run.
Jordon Davison Jordon Davison 6'0" | 210 lbs | RB Mater Dei | 2025 State CA has been one of the best running backs in the state. Nate Frazier Nate Frazier 6'0" | 210 lbs | RB Mater Dei | 2024 State CA is the fastest of the group and Ajon Bryant Ajon Bryant 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Mater Dei | 2024 State CA had two big plays against Los Alamitos in the semifinals.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB St. John Bosco | 2024 State CA is a stud at linebacker for the Braves and is a big reason they are difficult to run the ball against. Deven Bryant Deven Bryant 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA and Jordan Lockhart Jordan Lockhart 6'3" | 220 lbs | ATH St. John Bosco | 2024 State CA are other linebackers to keep an eye on.
BOSCO SECONDARY
Bosco’s secondary held Mater Dei to 119 yards in the first matchup.
Marcelles Williams Marcelles Williams 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2024 State CA and Ty Lee Ty Lee 6'3" | 190 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA have been fantastic recently and Peyton Woodyard Peyton Woodyard 6'2" | 195 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2024 State CA covers a ton of the field. Jshawn Frausto-Ramos Jshawn Frausto-Ramos 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA and RJ Jones RJ Jones 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA are also great players.
Mater Dei has deep threats in Marcus Harris Marcus Harris 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Mater Dei | 2025 State CA , Marcus Brown and Jack Ressler Jack Ressler 5'11" | 185 lbs | WR Mater Dei | 2024 State CA . Jordan Onovughe Jordan Onovughe 6'0" | 195 lbs | WR Mater Dei | 2023 State CA can make plays after the catch and I expect tight end Spencer Shannon Spencer Shannon 6'7" | 240 lbs | TE Mater Dei | 2023 State CA to get involved. But Bosco definitely has the talent edge in the secondary compared to the Mater Dei receivers.
QB FACTOR
Despite being contained in the first game, Mater Dei quarterback Elijah Brown is 29-0 as a starter and 3-0 against Bosco.
He makes very few mistakes and is one of the most poised high school quarterbacks I have ever seen.
Bosco will need to pressure him but be sure to keep a spy on him to prevent him from making plays with his legs.
FINAL NOTES
Both teams are fired up for this game. Bosco wants revenge and wants to win its first title in three years.
Mater Dei is motivated to win 30 games in a row and win one last championship for Rollinson, who is retiring.
I have picked against Mater Dei before and learned my lesson. I will pick the Monarchs until they lose.