Mater Dei’s offense has been dominant this season. Take the 55-8 win over Kahuku on Sept. 9, as an example, when four-star quarterback Elijah Brown threw for 4 touchdowns and elite working again Jordon Davison rushed for 2 extra. Or the week earlier than, when Brown threw for a whopping seven touchdowns.
On Friday, the protection took care of either side of the ball. St. Frances Academy’s (Baltimore) protection prevented the Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) offense from getting going in any respect, not permitting a single offensive rating by the primary three quarters, however two massive touchdowns from the Monarchs’ defensive finish helped them preserve a lead by many of the recreation and stay undefeated in opposition to a really robust opponent with a 20-6 victory.
The primary landing for both facet got here close to the start of the second quarter when a scramble for possession resulted in five-star edge rusher Nasir Wyatt corralling the free ball and taking it dwelling. That 7-0 rating would maintain by halftime.
NASIR WYATT with the Scoop n Rating for @MDFootball❕|/
Monarchs lead St. Frances Academy 7-0 early in 2nd Qtr 🏈
🎥 @On3USC @On3Recruits pic.twitter.com/ahXzxmqMaU
— Scott Schrader (@Scott_Schrader) September 22, 2023
St. Frances tied up the sport about seven minutes into the third quarter after which obtained a cease to get again possession. Their drive was halted instantly and brutally, because the Panthers have been reminded that it’s not simply Mater Dei offense that has made them the No. 1 staff on the Tremendous 25 all through the season.
Already deep in their very own territory, the Panthers gained simply 4 yards earlier than four-star Monarchs cornerback Chuck McDonald picked off a go and returned it to the tip zone to take the lead.
4-Star 2025 Cornerback CHUCK MCDONALD III with the PICK 6 for Mater Dei❕🔥🔥
Monarchs lead St. Frances Academy 14-7 with 2:55 left in third Qtr 🏈
🎥 @On3USC @Chuck20fficial pic.twitter.com/poVPBd0QrA
— Scott Schrader (@Scott_Schrader) September 23, 2023
Brown rushed in an insurance coverage landing within the fourth quarter, however these two defensive scores have been sufficient to carry the lead. As sturdy as St. Frances’ protection was, holding Mater Dei’s offense to a single landing, the Monarchs’ protection was no much less stringent, giving up just one landing of their very own. Even whereas the Monarchs scored a season-low 20 factors, they obtained the win and improved to a file of 5-0.
The Panthers are actually 1-5, however that has been a symptom of scheduling arguably the hardest schedule within the nation. 4 of the losses have been to groups ranked within the top-10 — two of whom are ranked amongst top-3 groups — and the fifth was to an East St. Louis (Sick.) program that briefly appeared within the Tremendous 25 this season.
There’s excellent news for St. Frances: That is their final recreation in opposition to a nationally ranked staff till mid-November. The Panthers may have an opportunity to rack up some wins and achieve momentum forward of their matchup with IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), at the moment ranked No. 4 within the Tremendous 25.
As for the Monarchs, they proceed to set the tempo for the nation. They’ve pole place and haven’t proven indicators of relinquishing.