Mater Dei blitzed, eliminated by Crespi

SANTA ANA Crespi of Encino took a page out of the national champions’ playbook Friday night. Implementing a blitzing scheme similar to the one used by the Florida Gators, the Celts pressured Mater Dei’s quarterback Matt Barkley from the outset.

Added to Crespi’s rushing attack, the Celts rolled over Mater Dei, 48-26, in the CIF-SS Pac-5 Division quarterfinals at Santa Ana Stadium.

“We have a great defensive coordinator,” Celts running back EJ Woods said. “We watched the blitz package from the (national championship) game. We executed tonight. We knew if we could stop No. 5 (Barkley) and No. 10 (Robbie Boyer), we could come out with a victory.”

The Celts stopped the Monarchs as much as the Monarchs stopped themselves. Mater Dei turned the ball over three times in its first five possessions. Crespi forced the Monarchs to go three-and-out on the other two series.

The Celts scored off all three miscues and led, 24-0, with 4:03 to go before halftime.

“Well, in the first half with the three turnovers and the three scores,” Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson said. “The emotion just wasn’t there. (Crespi) did a great job.”

Mater Dei scored two touchdowns in the final 4 minutes and cut its deficit to 24-12 before halftime. After forcing a three-and-out to start the second half, the Monarchs scored on their first offensive play.

Barkley connected with Andrew Abbott for a 50-yard touchdown pass and the Monarchs trailed, 24-19. But like they did in the first half, the Celts responded with 24 consecutive points.

It began on the next drive when Woods broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run. He finished with 127 yards on 19 carries and a TD.

Austin Shanks added 168 yards on 28 carries and finished with one receiving and rushing TD.

Celts quarterback Bryan Bennett’s second touchdown pass, a 23-yard strike to tight end Joseph Fauria, made it 38-19. Fauria, who has committed to Notre Dame, also scored on a 40-yard pass in the first quarter.

Blake Stanton’s 26-yard touchdown reception closed the scoring for the Celts, who led 48-19 with 6:58 remaining in the contest.

Mater Dei added a late touchdown when Barkley found Ryan Mumma for a 12-yard score.

“We came out in the third quarter and got back into it,” Rollinson said. “We held them and then we go down and score. Then they answer right back. Our hats are off to them. What can you say? It wasn’t our night.”

Barkley, who had an Ace bandage wrapped around his left calf, was sacked on the game’s opening play. The Celts sacked the junior quarterback just once more, but hit him many other times.

That was the case on Barkley’s first interception. He was hit as he threw downfield and Spencer Chapman picked it off.

Mater Dei, who ran the ball 8 times in the first half, abandoned the ground game after the half. The Monarchs ran the ball just twice.

Crespi next faces Servite in the semifinals. The match up has an interesting coaching twist. Servite coach Troy Thomas left Crespi to coach the Friars.

Contact the writer: ctobolski@ocregiter.com