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SANTA ANA — Mater Dei and St. John Bosco faced off Friday with the familiar task of settling two of the biggest stakes in their football rivalry.
The Monarchs dished out the clarity on the national rankings and the Trinity League in stunning fashion.
In a clash of the top two teams in the national rankings, No. 1 Mater Dei defeated No. 2 St. John Bosco 59-14 to claim at least a share of the Trinity League title before an estimated crowd of 8,000 at Santa Ana Stadium.
Mater Dei (8-0, 4-0) led 45-0 at halftime and later invoked a running clock for the entire fourth quarter.
For a while in the first half, the lopsided score was almost as shocking as St. John Bosco (8-1, 3-1) defeating Mater Dei 28-0 last season in league but the Monarchs far surpassed that level.
“I’m not going to say (I’m) surprised,” Mater Dei quarterback Dash Beierly said of the final margin. “I know Bosco is a really good team. Today wasn’t really their day but if you just looked at our team, we came out all cylinders playing really well.”
“It’s really hard to beat us when we’re all executing like that,” he added.
The Monarchs scored 22 points off three turnovers in the first half. Their offense scored five TDs and a field goal in the first two quarters.
“That’s the best first half we’ve ever played,” Mater Dei coach Raul Lara said. “I’m not surprised (by the score) … because I know when these guys are capable of doing the stuff we’ve been preaching, there’s nobody who’s going to beat them.”
“We are so talented,” the first-year coach added.
The past two seasons, the rivals have split two games.
Last fall, St. John Bosco stunned Mater Dei 28-0 in league before the Monarchs responded with a 35-7 triumph in the CIF-SS Division 1 final.
In 2022, Mater Dei captured the Trinity League title while St. John Bosco stormed to the Division 1 crown.
Are the teams destined for a second meeting at the Division 1 final on Nov. 29 at Veterans Stadium? If a few coaches are correct, keep an open mind to a new-look pairing.
Last week, Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson called Mater Dei “the best” in Division 1 but added that there is more parity in the rest of the division “than there’s ever been.”
Mater Dei fueled that argument.
“Mater Dei is the clear top team in the country,” St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro said. “I did not anticipate this (score) for sure.”
“But I also think we bring out the best in people and we brought out the best in Mater Dei tonight,” he added. “(We) got to learn from (this). We have to find some of the positives. … There’s still a lot of season left.”
Mater Dei asserted itself on the opening series. Safety CJ Lavender Jr. forced a fumble that cornerback Daryus Dixson recovered near the Braves 45 and returned 10 yards.
On the next play, Beierly tossed a 35-yard touchdown to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt on a flea-flicker.
It was a sign of things to come.
Mater Dei added a 23-yard field goal by Joseph Gutierrez later in the first quarter before scoring 34 points in the second quarter.
Running back Jordon Davison capped a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run as the lead pushed to 17-0.
On the ensuing possession, Lavender intercepted a pass that led to a 40-yard TD run by Beierly and a 25-0 lead.
Moments later, Mater Dei sophomore defensive back Aaryn Washington returned an interception 45 yards for a score as the advantage swelled to 31-0.
Before halftime, Beierly tossed two of his three first-half TDs.
Gavin Honore caught a fade in the corner of the end zone and defensive lineman and emotional leader Semi Taulanga grabbed a short pass for his first career TD.
Beierly, who is committed to Washington, completed 14 of 18 passes for 209 yards and three scores in the first half in addition to his rushing TD.
The senior finished with 308 yards passing and four TDs. Davison added 107 yards on 16 carries.
St. John Bosco scored on its first possession of the third quarter as sophomore Maliq Allen raced for a 71-yard TD.
Mater Dei’s defensive pressure limited Braves freshman QB Koa Malau’ulu. He didn’t have a first-down passing until the fourth quarter and finished 8 for 23 for 117 yards and a score.
Nasir Wyatt returned a fumble 6 yards for a TD off a sack by Dailon Clanton for the Monarchs’ final score with 2:58 left in the third quarter.
Next week, Mater Dei concludes the Trinity League season by playing host to Orange Lutheran at Santa Ana Stadium on Friday, Nov. 1. St. John Bosco plays host to JSerra (6-3, 1-3) on the same day.
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