Servite vs. Mater Dei Preview
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Two of the nation’s top 10 teams will play each other on Saturday at the Santa Ana Bowl. Mater Dei and Servite is one of the biggest and oldest rivalries in Orange County. The game sold out the 10,000 seat…
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Continue ReadingTwo of the nation’s top 10 teams will play each other on Saturday at the Santa Ana Bowl.
Mater Dei and Servite is one of the biggest and oldest rivalries in Orange County. The game sold out the 10,000 seat stadium in five minutes. I will be there covering the game for the OC Register and Prep Redzone. Let’s take a look at the top players from each team and the key matchups.
Week 9️⃣ and feeling fine 😎🏈 pic.twitter.com/H7e2DzuQx5
— PrepZone (@prepzone) October 19, 2021
Servite is undefeated and has beaten tough opponents like Mission Viejo, Sierra Canyon and Santa Margarita. I saw them last week against JSerra and the Friars looked good and healthy. The Friars have not trailed this season and have outscored their opponents 399-90.
Noah Fifita Noah Fifita 5'10" | 175 lbs | QB Servite | 2022 State CA is the senior quarterback for Servite. He is committed to Arizona and is one of the most accurate passers in the state. He is one of my favorite quarterbacks to watch but he struggled in the spring matchup between the two teams. He completed 11 of 24 passes for 131 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Oregon commit Tetairoa McMillan Tetairoa McMillan 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Servite | 2022 State CA is the best receiver in the state in my opinion. He caught six passes for 93 yards with a touchdown against Mater Dei in the spring and was covered by lockdown defender Domani Jackson Domani Jackson 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Mater Dei | 2022 State CA .
Defensively, the player of the game for Servite was Aden “Ace” Eckenwiler. He had six tackles and two sacks for the Friars. Arizona commit Jacob Manu Jacob Manu 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Servite | 2022 State CA also had a big game in the spring.
Vaka Hansen Vaka Hansen 6'2" | 305 lbs | DL St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA and Mason Graham Mason Graham 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Servite | 2022 State CA anchor the interior of the defensive line and sophomore Gage Burnett Gage Burnett 6'1" | 230 lbs | LB Santa Margarita Catholic | 2024 State CA is becoming a very good edge rusher.
The Greatest 🐐
Coach Rollinson is 28-3-1 against Servite since taking over at the helm of Mater Dei Football in 1989, including a 20-year win streak through the 90s and early 2000s. #BeatServite
— Mater Dei Football (@MDFootball) October 20, 2021
Mater Dei quarterback Elijah Brown was held pretty dormant in the spring matchup but the Monarchs were able to run the ball with their speed. Raleek Brown Raleek Brown 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Mater Dei | 2022 State CA had 53 yards on just 13 carries with a touchdown.
Brown has been less active the past two weeks but I think Mater Dei was just trying to keep him healthy for this matchup. Ajon Bryant Ajon Bryant 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Mater Dei | 2024 State CA has gotten quality reps at running back since and will likely get some touches on Saturday.
CJ Williams CJ Williams 6'2" | 195 lbs | WR Mater Dei | 2022 State CA is Mater Dei’s top receiver and is one of the top two in the state along with McMillan. He had a big 39-yard reception in the spring matchup and is always a big play threat.
Jack Ressler Jack Ressler 5'11" | 185 lbs | WR Mater Dei | 2024 State CA has emerged as a quality sophomore receiver for the Monarchs and Cooper Barkate Cooper Barkate 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Mater Dei | 2022 State CA has been on fire during Trinity League play. Barkate can make big plays after the catch which is something to keep an eye on.
The defensive player of the game for the Monarchs was edge rusher David Bailey David Bailey 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Mater Dei | 2022 State CA . He had 10 tackles with four sacks in what was his first game of the season coming off a leg injury.
Sione Moa Sione Moa 6'2" | 310 lbs | DL Mater Dei | 2022 State CA led the Monarchs with tackles and is back this season. Jacob Kongaika Jacob Kongaika 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Mater Dei | 2022 State CA did a good job on the interior of the defensive line and Levi Sua Levi Sua 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Mater Dei | 2023 State CA was the best returning linebacker for Mater Dei.
Cam Sidney Cam Sidney 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Mater Dei | 2022 State CA had an interception in the game. He will be instrumental for Mater Dei on Saturday with Jackson missing the game with a knee injury. Mater Dei doesn’t run a lot of man coverage but when they do, I expect Sidney to cover McMillan.
Zabien Brown Zabien Brown 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Mater Dei | 2024 State CA and Josh Hunter Josh Hunter 5'9" | 165 lbs | ATH Mater Dei | 2022 State CA are quality defensive backs for the Monarchs who close to the ball quickly. They will be crucial because Servite likes to throw underneath routes to Wes Taylor and Mikey Welsh. JJ Davis is an emerging sophomore in the secondary for the Monarchs too.
Servite will try to establish the run to lengthen drives and keep the Mater Dei offense off of the field. Houston Thomas Houston Thomas 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Portola | 2022 CA is a good running back for the Friars and Graham is one of the best offensive linemen in this game.
A rivalry renewed!
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— Servite Football (@ServiteFootball) October 18, 2021
Mater Dei’s linebackers will be tasked with stopping Thomas. Eoghan Kerry Eoghan Kerry 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Mater Dei | 2022 State CA , Lyrik Fata Lyrik Fata 6'4" | 225 lbs | LB Mater Dei | 2022 State CA , Malaki Te’o Malaki Te’o 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Mater Dei | 2022 State CA and Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei are the backers who will have to stop Thomas.
The Monarch’s offensive line is great led by BJ Tolo BJ Tolo 6'1" | 310 lbs | OL Mater Dei | 2023 State CA and DeAndre Carter DeAndre Carter 6'5" | 350 lbs | OL Mater Dei | 2024 State CA . Sione Tohi is a freshman left guard and one of my favorite freshmen in the state.
This is one of the best games in the state this season and will be televised on Bally Sports West Saturday night at 8 p.m.