Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco Preview

Michael Huntley September 30, 2021 @ 07:28 AM

Two of the top three teams in the country play each other this week in Southern California. Mater Dei and St. John Bosco will play at a sold out Panish Family Stadium on Bally Sports West television. The game sold out in less than five minutes. It is a major event when these two teams get together that transcends high school football.

You know this St. John Bosco-Mater Dei game has to be a big deal when your 12 year old daughter, who has never watched a football game in her life, says, 'dad, some of my friends at school were talking about that game Friday, can you get us all tickets?'
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) September 30, 2021

I was fortunate enough to cover the game in the spring for Prep Redzone and I highlighted the top offensive, defensive and sleeper players. This season a lot of players from the spring are back and there are very few new faces. Mater Dei won the game 34-17. Monarchs quarterback Elijah Brown was fantastic in last spring’s game throwing for 203 yards on just 14 completions with four touchdowns. Two of his top targets from that game are gone but Notre Dame commit returns and slot receiver is back as well. Harvard commit did not play in the game due to injury but is healthy now and has scored in Mater Dei’s last two games. Nearly all of Mater Dei’s offensive line is back from last season and running back is one of the best running backs in the nation. For Bosco, and have been very good this season and will both see playing time this Friday. Clarkson threw a touchdown pass in the game last season but wasn’t very efficient. Houser turned the ball over three times. winded up getting most of the carries for the Braves and broke loose for a 66-yard touchdown run. is also back and is always capable of a big play.

Jabari Bates 66 yards TD. St. John Bosco 7, Mater Dei 7. Game on. pic.x.com/8O93JrHR1j
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) April 18, 2021

The Bosco quarterbacks do a fantastic job spreading the ball around, but its leading receivers are and . In the redzone, is one of the best in the nation as a touchdown target. He had a touchdown catch in the game during the spring.

Clarkson to Uiagalelei for the score! Braves lead 21-0 at the end of quarter 1! pic.x.com/X4IbshjnRW
— Bosco Football (@boscofootball) September 17, 2021

The story of last year’s game was Mater Dei’s defense. They allowed 400 yards but really contained Bosco’s passing attack and forced three turnovers. Nearly everyone is back from Mater Dei’s defense in that game except for USC commit who is out with a leg injury. led the Monarchs with eight tackles and two sacks. was outstanding up front with a tackle for a loss and was constantly in the backfield. Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson loves the front seven of the team. He told me about his admiration of Sua, Kongaika and Bailey, but also mentioned , Malaki Teo and freshman Nasir Wyatt. is a Texas commit and a stud linebacker for the Monarchs too. , and lead the Mater Dei secondary. The strength of Bosco’s defense is its versatility. , and can all play in the secondary or move into the box. Bosco is extremely fast and they hustle to the flat well and close on tacklers quickly. is one of the best pass rushers in the state and and Uiagalelei can cause havoc in the backfield too. Ryan Tuaolo Ryan Tuaolo 6'2" | 195 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA has been a pleasant surprise for Bosco’s defense and he has an offer from Boise State. Some sleeper players to watch for Bosco are Jaxon Harley Jaxon Harley 5'10" | 150 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , Elias Archie, RJ Jones RJ Jones 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA , and Jshawn Frausto-Ramos Jshawn Frausto-Ramos 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA . There are some stars up front for both teams offensively. of Bosco is one of the best linemen in the nation. leads Mater Dei’s line and is one of the best underclassmen lineman in the nation. Jack Laphen has been effective for the Monarchs and Mosula Tapusoa recently committed to Morgan State and is playing well. The most intriguing matchup to me is against Bosco cornerback . These two are super talented and talk a lot of trash to each other on the field. Williams got him for a touchdown in man-to-man coverage in last year’s game and got in his face afterward. They are fun to watch.

TOUCHDOWN @MDFootball❕💫

QB @ElijahBrown_29 to Elite 4-Star Notre Dame WR Commit CJ WILLIAMS

Monarchs lead Duncanville 38-3

🎥 @On3Recruits @CJWilliams_03 pic.x.com/JLmtWaZ4BH
— Scott Schrader (@SSchraderOn3) August 28, 2021

Prediction time. I do not think it will be a 17 point game like last season that underwhelmed a lot of people. But I do think Mater Dei is too good, particularly on defense this season and nobody can beat them.