SANTA ANA, California, Nov. 14 — In a night marked by unexpected upsets across Southern California, the Mater Dei Monarchs emerged as a steadfast contender, securing a decisive 20-0 victory against the No. 29 Mission Viejo Diablos.
This victory comes at a pivotal moment in a season that has seen the Monarchs experience a rare shift in momentum, having suffered two losses for the first time in over ten years. Mater Dei’s turnaround began with a stunning victory against the previously unbeaten St. John Bosco Braves in their regular season finale just two weeks prior. The Braves faced further turmoil on Friday, falling 20-19 to the unranked Orange Lutheran Lancers, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this year’s playoffs. Additionally, the No. 10/SN No. 11 Sierra Canyon was upset by the No. 17 Santa Margarita Eagles, losing 21-9. As a result, Orange Lutheran and Santa Margarita will clash in one of the upcoming CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.
Despite their impressive showing, Mater Dei faces a significant challenge ahead. They will play against the No. 7/SN No. 5 Centennial Huskies, who previously dealt them one of their two losses this season. The Monarchs also fell to Santa Margarita, which will likely be favored against Orange Lutheran.
The task of defeating a powerhouse team like Mater Dei is a daunting one, especially when considering the difficulty of overcoming them a second time. Nevertheless, the Monarchs are poised and confident as they head into next weekend’s semifinals, ready to prove their mettle and reclaim their dominance in California high school football.