Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson holds the CIF-SS Division 1 championship plaque high after the Monarchs defeated St. John Bosco in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
The Mater Dei players pose for a photo with the CIF-SS Division 1 championship plaque after the Monarchs defeated St. John Bosco in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei’s Bru McCoy reaches up to pull in a pass in front of St. John Bosco cornerback Chris Steele deep in St. John Bosco territory late in the second quarter of the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei defensive lineman Jalen Lockett, center, begins the celebration as the clock runs out in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship against St. John Bosco in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson holds the CIF-SS Division 1 championship plaque high after the Monarchs defeated St. John Bosco in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei offensive lineman Kamuta Levasa celebrates after the Monarchs won the CIF-SS Division 1 championship over St. John Bosco in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei defensive lineman Jalen Lockett, center, celebrates with linebacker Dean Neeley, left, and linebacker Raesjon Davis, right, after Lockett sacked St. John Bosco quarterback DJ Uiagalelei in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei running back Shakobe Harper, left, celebrates his second quarter touchdown against St. John Bosco with teammate offensive lineman Kamuta Levasa, right, in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018, in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei running back Shakobe Harper, left, fights his way into the end zone for a touchdown as St. John Bosco free safety Jake Newman tries to stop him in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei defensive back Jaylin Davies, left, breaks up a pass intended for St. John Bosco’s Jake Bailey late in the second quarter of the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei running back Shakobe Harper, center, is stopped just short of the goal line by St. John Bosco free safety Jake Newman, left, late in the fourth quarter of the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson questions a call by the referee during the CIF-SS Division 1 championship against St. John Bosco in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco free safety Jake Newman lunges after Mater Dei running back Shakobe Harper as Harper runs toward the end zone during the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. Harper was stopped just short of the goal line. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei linebacker Raesjon Davis runs the ball back after picking off a St. John Bosco pass late in the fourth quarter of the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco running back George Holani, right, looks to avoid a tackle by Mater Dei linebacker Raesjon Davis (46) in Norwalk in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei running back Sean Dollars runs past a diving Jon Jon Vaughns of St. John Bosco during the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei quarterback Bryce Young, left, scrambles away from a St. John Bosco defender as he fires a pass in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei quarterback Bryce Young is brought down on a quarterback keeper by St. John Bosco free safety Titus Toler in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei linebacker Raesjon Davis, right, sacks St. John Bosco quarterback DJ Uiagalelei with seconds left in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei wide receiver Cameron Gardner, right, is pushed by a St. John Bosco defender who is called for pass interference in the first quarter of the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei quarterback Bryce Young, center, enjoys the celebration after the Monarchs won the CIF-SS Division 1 championship over St. John Bosco in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei linebacker Bru McCoy, left, and Shakobe Harper share a quiet moment amidst the celebration after the Monarchs won the CIF-SS Division 1 championship over St. John Bosco in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs head coach Bruce Rollinson (left) raises his hands as his team completes the hut drill at the end of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs head coach Bruce Rollinson holds up the championship placard at the end of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs head coach Bruce Rollinson receives the champions placard at the end of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
CIF Southern Section Council President Dr. Monica Colunga (left) presents St. John Bosco Braves head coach Jason Negro (right) with a placard at the end of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs head coach Bruce Rollinson is doused with water by one of his players during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the St. John Bosco Braves at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs head coach Bruce Rollinson is doused with water by one of his players during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the St. John Bosco Braves at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves head coach Jason Negro (left) congratulates Mater Dei Monarchs head coach Bruce Rollinson at the end of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves George Holani (28) is tackled by Mater Dei Monarchs linebacker Moses Sepulona (28) during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs defense review game play on a television screen during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the St. John Bosco Braves at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs kicker Nick Lopez (97) watches his kick score the wining field goal against the St. John Bosco Braves during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes the ball against the St. John Bosco Braves during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
3 by 7 during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves head coach Jason Negro reacts to a penalty call during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the Mater Dei Monarchs at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs fan Philip Parks runs along the stands during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the St. John Bosco Braves at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs head coach Bruce Rollinson looks on against the St. John Bosco Braves during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs linebacker Raesjon Davis (46) intercepts the ball and runs it back against the St. John Bosco Braves during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
A Mater Dei Monarchs fan holds up an inflatable shark during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the St. John Bosco Braves at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs fans react to a camera after their team scores a touchdown against the St. John Bosco Braves during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs running back Glenn Harper (3) finds an opening in the St. John Bosco Braves defense during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves Trent McDuffie (4) breaks up a pass intended for Mater Dei Monarchs Bru Mccoy (5) during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
9 by 42 during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves alumni watch the game from the sidelines during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the Mater Dei Monarchs at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves Trent McDuffie (4) breaks up a pass intended for Mater Dei Monarchs Bru Mccoy (5) during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes the ball against the St. John Bosco Braves during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs quarterback Bryce Young (9) talks to his backfield of running back Sean Dollars (21) and running back Glenn Harper (3) during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the St. John Bosco Braves at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) looks for a receiver against the Mater Dei Monarchs during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs quarterback Bryce Young (9) takes a moment by himself in the end zone before the start of the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves George Holani (28) breaks from the Mater Dei Monarchs defense during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves Jake Bailey (3) fights off a Mater Dei Monarchs defender during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) shambles for yards against the Mater Dei Monarchs during the second half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
A St. John Bosco Braves band member performs during halftime of CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the Mater Dei Monarchs at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves cheerleaders perform during halftime of CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the Mater Dei Monarchs at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves cheerleaders perform during halftime of CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the Mater Dei Monarchs at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs tight end Mike Martinez (80) fights off St. John Bosco Braves free safety Titus Toler (21) during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs defensive back Jaylin Davies (24) breaks up a pass intended for St. John Bosco Braves Jake Bailey (3) during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs tight end Mike Martinez (80) fights off St. John Bosco Braves free safety Titus Toler (21) during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs defensive back Jaylin Davies (24) breaks up a pass intended for St. John Bosco Braves Jake Bailey (3) during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs cheerleaders perform a stunt during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the St. John Bosco Braves at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs running back Glenn Harper (3) tosses the ball in the end zone after scoring against the St. John Bosco Braves during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs Bru Mccoy (5) dives to the ground to gain yards against the St. John Bosco Braves during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs for yards against the St. John Bosco Braves during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs running back Sean Dollars (21) breaks a tackle against the St. John Bosco Braves during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs quarterback Bryce Young (9) fumbles the ball against the St. John Bosco Braves during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs defensive back Darion Green-warren (8) celebrates after recovering fumble against the St. John Bosco Braves during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs tight end Mike Martinez (80) runs for yards against St. John Bosco Braves Kourt Williams II (27) during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs tight end Mike Martinez (80) runs for yards against St. John Bosco Braves Kourt Williams II (27) during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) passes the ball as the pocket collapses against the Mater Dei Monarchs during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves tight end Jude Wolfe (18) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves George Holani (28) finds a hole in the St. John Bosco Braves defense during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs Bru Mccoy (5) breaks a tackle from St. John Bosco Braves Trent McDuffie (4) during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs head coach Bruce Rollinson raises his hands as his teams comes on the field during the first half of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the St. John Bosco Braves at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs fans react to the camera before the start of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the St. John Bosco Braves at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei Monarchs fan John Tafoya looks on before the start of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the St. John Bosco Braves at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves come on to the field before the start of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the Mater Dei Monarchs at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Area Director Brian Stegall (center) performs the ceremonial coin flip to start the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game between the St. John Bosco Braves and the Mater Dei Monarchs at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves fans react to the camera before the start of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the Mater Dei Monarchs at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves fans react to the camera before the start of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the Mater Dei Monarchs at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco Braves quarterback DJ Uiagalelei warms up before the start of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship football game against the Mater Dei Monarchs at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. on Friday November 23, 2018. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 17-13. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr, Contributing Photographer)
The Mater Dei Monarchs run onto the field before the start of the the CIF-SS Division 1 championship against St. John Bosco in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Cutline goes here in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Cutline goes here in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei running back Shakobe Harper, center, is stopped just short of the goal line by St. John Bosco free safety Jake Newman, left, late in the fourth quarter of the CIF-SS Division 1 championship in Norwalk on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco running back George Holani, right, looks to avoid a tackle by Mater Dei linebacker Raesjon Davis (46) in Norwalk in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship on Friday, November 23, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
NORWALK – Mater Dei’s football team beat St. John Bosco at its own game Friday to reverse its fortune against its arch rival and pull one of the biggest upsets in the school’s storied history.
The Monarchs’ defense forced three turnovers and held the Braves to one offensive score to stun top-ranked St. John Bosco 17-13 for its second straight CIF-SS Division 1 championship before 10,569 at Cerritos College.
The Braves (13-1), the consensus No. 1 team in the nation, defeated Mater Dei 41-18 in the teams’ Trinity League showdown Oct. 13, using defense and fourth-down stops to knock the Monarchs (12-2 including one forfeit) from their perch as the top-ranked team in nation.
But in the rematch, Mater Dei cornerback Elias Ricks and linebacker Raesjon Davis grabbed interceptions lineman Jalen Lockett recorded a key sack with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory, which likely sends the Monarchs to the CIF State Open Division final on Dec. 8 at Cerritos College.
“Tonight is one of those nights where I think it was meant to be for the old Monarchs,” said Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson, who earned his seventh section title. “It’s one of the greatest games in the sense of being involved and watching what they accomplished: believing in themselves, making plays defensively when we had to.
“There’s a lot of adversity that we kept overcoming and that was huge.”
Mater Dei’s Nick Lopez kicked a 42-yard field goal — his first conversion in three attempts — with 4:40 left in the fourth quarter to give the Monarchs a 17-13 lead and the Mater Dei defense held from there. Ricks set up the field goal with a diving interception — his ninth of the season — at the Braves 25 with 6:06 left.
Lockett halted the ensuing Bosco possession with a sack.
The game ended with the Monarchs’ defense fittingly on the field. The Braves’ final possession started at their at 16 with 39 seconds left but ended with a fumble off a sack by Davis deep in their territory as time expired.
The Monarchs rushed the field to celebrate a dramatic role reversal and the first outright back-to-back titles under Rollinson, in his 30th season.
“It feels amazing,” Mater Dei tight end Mike Martinez. “As a team, we knew we beat ourselves (in the first game). … We picked it up. We played with intensity, with energy and we focused. I had all the faith in the world in my team.”
Mater Dei didn’t sack quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei in the teams’ first showdown but dropped the junior three times Friday. Martin Salazar also had a sack.
The Monarchs, ranked second in the nation in MaxPreps’ Freeman poll, also held the strong-armed Uiagalelei to only one passing touchdown after he burned them for five TDs in the first game. The Braves entered the game averaging more than 50 points a game.
“They just kept coming,” Rollinson said of his defense, coordinated by veteran Eric Johnson. “They believed in themselves. The kids did everything we asked. The last thing I told them (at halftime) was, just 24 minutes, just believe. Keep rocking defense. We found a way.”
The Braves lost to the Monarchs in the Division 1 final for the second consecutive year. They beat Mater Dei for the crown in 2016.
St. John Bosco rushed for 190 yards in the first encounter but Mater Dei held the Braves to 84 yards on 25 carries on Friday. Penalties also were an issue for St. John Bosco, which committed 9 for 100 – Mater Dei had eight for 53 yards.
“We just got away from what made us successful this year,” Braves coach Jason Negro said. “They did a great job of putting pressure on the quarterback. Just self-inflictedmistakes. We played well enough defensively to win but offensively we couldn’t get going.”
Mater Dei’s defense produced one some of its best moments in the third quarter.
St. John Bosco aggressively attempted to convert a fourth-and-8 from the Monarchs 22 but sophomore defensive back Jaylin Davies broke up his third pass of the game. Davies’ other two break ups were on third down.
The Monarchs’ offense didn’t immediately capitalize but Mater Dei’s defense later forced a punt, which Josh Lorick – another sophomore – returned 14 yards to the St. John Bosco 41. About a 1 ½ minute later, Mater Dei quarterback Bryce Young stepped up in the pocket and tossed a 19-yard TD pass to Bru McCoy as Mater Dei took its first lead, 14-7, with 1:22 left in third.
Young completed 15 of 22 passes for 177 yards to out-duel Uiagalelei, who went 7 of 19 for 110 yards.
Mater Dei’s defense kept the pressure later in the third. Davis grabbed his own deflection for an interception near midfield. A chop block on the return gave the Mater Dei the ball at the Braves’ 30 but St. John Bosco soon made its own stand.
Early in the fourth quarter, Chris Steele blocked a 22-yard field goal attempt that fellow defensive back Trent McDuffie picked up and returned 76 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point bounced off the upright and Mater Dei still led 14-13.
St. John Bosco scored in familiar fashion on its opening possession in the first quarter. The Braves sprung a receiver – tight end Jude Wolfe – wide open in the secondary for a 19-yard touchdown catch from Uiagalelei.
In the teams’ first meeting, Mater Dei struggled at times with breakdowns in coverage. Wolfe didn’t have a catch in the October showdown but his score capped a five-play, 45-yard drive and gave the Braves a 7-0 lead.
McDuffie returned a punt 17 yards to give the Braves the short field after their defense forced a quick punt on Mater Dei’s opening drive.
Mater Dei almost responded in the middle of the second quarter but the Monarchs lost a fumble at the St. John Bosco 5 on a third-and-2. Linebacker Spencer Lytle recovered the unforced fumble. Lytle, a linebacker, finished with a game-high nine total tackles.
But the Monarchs defense made sure the Braves didn’t capitalize after the fumble, forcing a three-and-out and punt.
Mater Dei’s offense then found some redemption on its next possession, driving 63 yards on nine plays for a 2-yard touchdown run by Shakobe Harper with 1:33 left in the half. The run and extra-point by Lopez tied the score, 7-7.
Harper helped spark the drive by rushing for a first down on a fourth-and-1 conversion, a major sign of improvement for Mater Dei. The Monarchs went 0 for 4 on fourth-down conversion in the teams’ first meeting but finished 1 for 3 on Friday.
Martinez also helped lead the drive with two catches and McCoy added a tough 28-yard reception to the 2.
Martinez, a UCLA commit, finished the first half with five catches for 86 yards. The UCLA committed senior could have had another 41 yards and perhaps set up another score but his long reception to Braves 14 with 57 seconds left first half was wiped out by a holding penalty.
Mater Dei missed a 48-yard field goal late in the first quarter.
The first half ended tied at 7-7 and Mater Dei dominating time of possession. The Monarchs chewed up almost 19 minutes, which helped limit the St. John Bosco to 15 plays for 84 yards. Mater Dei ran 35 plays for 183 yards but its turnover and late penalty limited its scoring chances in the first half.
Mater Dei finished the game with advantage in time of possession, holding the ball for 31:37, which helped keep the Braves’ offense off the field. Harper rushed for 54 yards on 20 carries while Sean Dollars added 30 yards on 11 carries.
