Preview of the CIF-SS Division 1 football championship game:
DIVISION 1
Mater Dei (13-0) vs. St. John Bosco (11-2)
Where, when: Cerritos College, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, (turf field)
Live coverage: Fox Sports West
Fan info: General admission, $12, students (with valid school ID) and children, $5.
Outlook: Top-ranked Mater Dei appears well-positioned to end its CIF title drought but needs to defeat the nationally-ranked Braves to claim its first crown since 1999. The Monarchs are ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps while the Braves are No. 5. Mater Dei beat St. John Bosco 31-21 in a Trinity League game Oct. 13 that marked the first start for Braves sophomore quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. Mater Dei also downed St. John Bosco in their league meeting last season 26-21 at Cerritos College, but the Monarchs lost to the Braves 42-28 in the Division 1 final at Angel Stadium. Mater Dei also lost to St. John Bosco in the 2013 Division 1 final, part of its four-game losing streak in the finals. The Monarchs feature more diversity on offense than it had last season. Record-setting quarterback JT Daniels (3.591 yards passing, 44 TDs) has become a running threat (479 yards, seven TDs) and the duo of running backs Shakobe Harper (842 yards) and Chris Street (546 yards) has delivered when needed. Mater Dei’s starting defense allowed 14 points last week against high-powered Mission Viejo. The unit has been led by defensive end Nathan Logoleo (15 sacks) and linebackers Mase Funa and Solomon Tuliaupupu. Mater Dei’s young secondary, a major question entering the fall, has matured on the job. The unit produced three interceptions against Long Beach Poly’s touted Matt Corral in the second round of the playoffs. Uiagalelei also has matured, to the tune of 2,733 yards and 29 TDs passing and only two interceptions. He has rushed for 331 yards. Mater Dei sacked Uiagalelei seven times in the league game but hurt itself with 15 penalties for 130 yards. If the Monarchs play their game and limit mistakes, they should bring the title back to Santa Ana.
MaxPreps national rankings: Mater Dei No. 1, St. John Bosco No. 5.
High School Football America rankings: Mater Dei No. 1, St. John Bosco No. 11
Last year’s final: St. John Bosco def. Mater Dei, 42-28
History at stake: Mater Dei is seeking its first CIF-SS title since 1999. St. John Bosco is appearing in its fifth consecutive Division 1 final, which ties a CIF-SS record for the top division.
Quoteable: “Listen, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if St. John Bosco won. … I just feel it’s a season of destiny for Mater Dei. I feel they’re going to get it done for Coach Rollinson.” – Chris Rix, Fox Sports West
Fan poll:
CIF championship 🏈poll: Who will win the Division 1 title on Saturday night at Cerritos College? 🏆💯@MD_Athletics @boscofootball @HSFBamerica @ocvarsity
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) November 28, 2017
