Mater Dei breezes, 48-8

Mater Dei showed every bit why it is the top-ranked team in the county. 

The Monarchs (3-0) rode Matt Barkley's decision-making and strong right arm to score all their points in the first half in a 48-8 victory Friday over host Long Beach Cabrillo (1-3).

Barkley threw for 287 yards and five touchdown passes, completed 75 percent of his passes, and connected with eight receivers. He found Andrew Abbott (a game-high 119 yards receiving) and Robbie Boyer twice for scores. 

"Barkley read the defense well tonight," Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson said. "He got it out quick and his hot reads were on." 

Rollinson's squad now turns its attention to a showdown with Edison next week. The Monarchs take on Corona-Centennial of Corona, ranked No. 1 in the state by MaxPreps.com, the week after. 

The Monarchs pitched a shutout until the final moments of the game, when Roman Lewis scored on a 10-yard run.

Ryan Mumma added a touchdown catch for Mater Dei and Stephen Lapchak added a 5-yard punt return for a touchdown after a botched snap.

Lapchak's return came after the Jaguars snapped the ball over punter Frank Keil's head near their end zone on a fourth down punt try. Keil retrieved the ball but punted into the arms of Lapchak, who caught the ball and ran in it for the score.  The game was played under a running clock in the second half.

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com