SANTA ANA, CA – In a clash of titans that many considered a preview of the State Championship, Mater Dei High School reminded the nation why they remain the gold standard of prep football. In a physical, defensive struggle Friday night, the Monarchs secured a hard-fought 21-14 victory over St. John Bosco, claiming the Trinity League title in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,000 fans.
The game swung in favor of the Monarchs thanks to the poise of their five-star junior quarterback. Despite an early interception, he remained calm, leading two 80-yard scoring drives in the second half. The decisive blow came via a 35-yard touchdown strike to the corner of the end zone with just four minutes remaining on the clock.
Iron Curtain Defense
While the offense found its rhythm late, Mater Dei’s defense was the story of the night. The “Iron Curtain” backline recorded four sacks and forced two crucial fumbles in the red zone. Senior linebacker and Ohio State commit, Dash Beierly, led the unit with 12 tackles, consistently blowing up run plays before they could reach the secondary.
“This is what Trinity League football is all about,” said the Mater Dei head coach during the post-game trophy presentation. “It’s about resilience. We didn’t play a perfect game, but we played a tough game. Our defense stood tall when it mattered most.”
The Road to the State Finals
With this victory, Mater Dei secures the top seed in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs. For St. John Bosco, the loss is a temporary setback, as both teams are widely expected to meet again in the regional finals. Scouts from nearly every Power 5 conference were in attendance, tracking over 30 players with Division I offers on the field.
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