St. John Bosco vs. Mater Dei Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top two teams in the nation will play each other Friday at the Santa Ana Bowl.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei and St. John Bosco are the top two teams in the country according to MaxPreps, USA Today and CalPreps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. John Bosco is the only team that has beaten Mater Dei since 2015. Mater Dei has not lost a game since November of 2019; the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game against St. John Bosco.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>According to Scorebook Live, there are over 75 players in this game with at least one Division 1 offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the matchups and top players in this game:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>QUARTERBACKS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633ed963aa120","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["147708"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":468882,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633ed978aa121","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["25367"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='147708' first='Elijah' last='Brown'] is 23-0 as the starting quarterback for Mater Dei, dating back to his freshman season. He has completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,376 yards and 17 touchdowns with just two interceptions this season. Brown was the sole reason Mater Dei was able to beat JSerra in a close 21-13 win last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='25367' first='Pierce' last='Clarkson'] is a Louisville commit who has played very well this season but hasn't been challenged much. He has 904 yards and 13 touchdowns but has gotten pulled early in games because of blowout scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In last season's game, Clarkson threw for 233 yards and a touchdown. Brown threw for 263 yards and five touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kristenmlago/status/1576999590082985984?s=20u0026t=92QvaBihmN-4lDqknoQOmQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kristenmlago/status/1576999590082985984?s=20u0026t=92QvaBihmN-4lDqknoQOmQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>RUNNING BACKS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei: [player_tooltip player_id='282698' first='Jordon' last='Davison'], [player_tooltip player_id='115462' first='Ajon' last='Bryant'], [player_tooltip player_id='273546' first='Nate' last='Frazier']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. John Bosco: [player_tooltip player_id='398389' first='Cameron' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='115464' first='Chauncey' last='Sylvester'], [player_tooltip player_id='147723' first='Khalil' last='Warren']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='282698' first='Jordon' last='Davison'] had a nice game against St. John Bosco, but Bryant and Frazier were held dormant. On paper, this is the best running back trio I have ever seen, but I don't know how healthy Bryant is right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='398389' first='Cameron' last='Jones'] has been the top running back since transferring from Centennial. [player_tooltip player_id='115464' first='Chauncey' last='Sylvester'] has been playing well and making big plays in the passing game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>RECEIVERS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei: [player_tooltip player_id='282711' first='Marcus' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='384736' first='Jordan' last='Onovughe'], [player_tooltip player_id='115472' first='Jack' last='Ressler'], [player_tooltip player_id='145241' first='Spencer' last='Shannon']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. John Bosco: [player_tooltip player_id='190270' first='DeAndre' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='145168' first='Israel' last='Polk'], [player_tooltip player_id='25371' first='Eric' last='Denham'], [player_tooltip player_id='25410' first='Jahlil' last='McClain']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bosco has the edge here. Moore and McClain are committed to Louisville and Polk has been heating up since transferring from Pittsburg. Denham is a transfer from Centennial and has been playing well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris had two huge touchdown catches for Mater Dei against JSerra. Onovughe is the senior who patiently waited his turn to play and is getting a lot of targets this season. Shannon is committed to Texas and only had one target against JSerra.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/marthagreatest/status/1576336518796279808?s=20u0026t=92QvaBihmN-4lDqknoQOmQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/marthagreatest/status/1576336518796279808?s=20u0026t=92QvaBihmN-4lDqknoQOmQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>OFFENSIVE LINE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei: [player_tooltip player_id='147719' first='DeAndre' last='Carter'], [player_tooltip player_id='147730' first='Brandon' last='Baker'], [player_tooltip player_id='282776' first='Sione' last='Tohi'], [player_tooltip player_id='25453' first='BJ' last='Tolo'], Lipe Moaia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. John Bosco: [player_tooltip player_id='25417' first='Sean' last='Na'a'], [player_tooltip player_id='273573' first='King' last='Large'], [player_tooltip player_id='145230' first='Mosiah' last='Talanoa'], [player_tooltip player_id='261803' first='Sean' last='Haney'], Puka Moe, [player_tooltip player_id='282718' first='Matai' last='Jefferson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei has the edge on paper but I was surprised to see JSerra's defense get pressure on Brown last week. Carter and Baker are the two top junior tackles in the state and they are on the same team. [player_tooltip player_id='25453' first='BJ' last='Tolo'] is the senior leader of the group and one of the better centers in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='25417' first='Sean' last='Na'a'] has been an incredible addition since transferring from Westlake. He was the best offensive lineman at the Allegiance camp this summer. Talanoa and Haney are big weight room guys and Large has been rising fast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DEFENSIVE LINE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei: [player_tooltip player_id='147757' first='Zeus' last='Venegas'], [player_tooltip player_id='115434' first='Aydin' last='Breland'], [player_tooltip player_id='115435' first='Kaho' last='Tuihalamaka'], Semi Taulanga</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. John Bosco: [player_tooltip player_id='25456' first='Matayo' last='Uiagalelei'], [player_tooltip player_id='145257' first='Vaka' last='Hansen'], [player_tooltip player_id='115469' first='Jordan' last='Lockhart'], [player_tooltip player_id='145205' first='Sua' last='Lefotu'], Dutch Horsick</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was on the field watching Mater Dei in pregame and Ayden Breland is the tallest and biggest defensive lineman I've seen at the high school level. Tuihalamaka is a wide body who is sneakily athletic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matayu Uiagalelei is the best uncommitted player in the class. [player_tooltip player_id='145257' first='Vaka' last='Hansen'] transferred from Servite and is excellent at drawing double teams. Lockhart is a physical specimen who is an edge rusher for the Braves but may be a linebacker at the next level. Lefotu is a Washington commit who is hard to move downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GregBiggins/status/1524905186702938112?s=20u0026t=92QvaBihmN-4lDqknoQOmQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GregBiggins/status/1524905186702938112?s=20u0026t=92QvaBihmN-4lDqknoQOmQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>LINEBACKERS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei: [player_tooltip player_id='25447' first='Levi' last='Sua'], [player_tooltip player_id='282774' first='Nasir' last='Wyatt'], [player_tooltip player_id='115438' first='Ramere' last='Davis'], Lucas Campitza</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. John Bosco: [player_tooltip player_id='115443' first='Kyngstonn' last='Viliamu-Asa'], [player_tooltip player_id='145191' first='Deven' last='Bryant'], Sir Tyler Thomas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wyatt was in the backfield constantly against JSerra and Sua was there to clean up the running game. Sua is one of my favorite linebackers in the class and [player_tooltip player_id='115438' first='Ramere' last='Davis'] is a very good athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='115443' first='Kyngstonn' last='Viliamu-Asa'] may be the best player in the junior class in California. [player_tooltip player_id='145191' first='Deven' last='Bryant'] had a big game last season against Mater Dei. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MDFootball/status/1578058808982740992?s=20u0026t=92QvaBihmN-4lDqknoQOmQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MDFootball/status/1578058808982740992?s=20u0026t=92QvaBihmN-4lDqknoQOmQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>DEFENSIVE BACKS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei: [player_tooltip player_id='282700' first='Daryus' last='Dixson'], [player_tooltip player_id='147715' first='Zabien' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='282734' first='Chuck' last='McDonald III'], [player_tooltip player_id='195537' first='Jeilani' last='Davis']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. John Bosco: [player_tooltip player_id='145132' first='Ty' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='25459' first='Aaron' last='Williams'], Tamai Johnson, [player_tooltip player_id='115432' first='Marcelles' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='115433' first='Peyton' last='Woodyard'], [player_tooltip player_id='398450' first='Frankie' last='Edwards III'], [player_tooltip player_id='25380' first='Jshawn' last='Frausto-Ramos'], [player_tooltip player_id='25395' first='RJ' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='145239' first='Hunter' last='Nowell']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bosco obviously has the depth and experience advantage here. This is their biggest advantage in the game. If they can prevent Mater Dei's receivers from getting open, it will be hard for the Monarchs to move the ball. Woodyard and Williams are some of my favorite defensive backs in the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->