Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) vs. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), one of many greatest rivalries in highschool soccer, nearly at all times has large nationwide champion implications. Sometimes ranked among the many high 5 groups within the nation (and incessantly the highest two), the Monarchs and Braves commerce blows and pry for weaknesses as they attempt to get the higher hand within the common season with the expectation that there might be another matchup for the championship.
There very nicely could also be another sport for the championship.
St. John Bosco created a seismic shift within the nationwide rating panorama with a victory that was something however the standard tight-fought battle followers and groups count on. The Braves shut out Mater Dei 28-0, the Monarchs’ first time being shut out since 2011, and fully flipped the tenor of the season.
“We’re nonetheless a champion till somebody knocks us off,” Bosco head coach Jason Negro mentioned to the Los Angeles Instances.
It’s an excellent reminder. Mater Dei has been ranked No. 1 within the nation all 12 months regardless of Bosco profitable the title final season. The Braves fell additional within the rankings after dropping to Kahuku (Hawaii) on Sept. 16, struggling a uncommon loss to a non-Monarchs workforce.
Any perceived shakiness was confirmed incorrect. That loss to Kahuku was merely a loss. In dismantling Mater Dei — a workforce that was not solely undefeated thus far this season however had not but trailed in a single sport — Bosco re-asserted itself as the highest workforce in California.
Mater Dei quarterback Elijah Brown was held to only 10 completions on 21 passes for 115 yards, and he was picked off by cornerback Frankie Edwards. The Braves protection held Mater Dei beneath 100 yards within the first half, in keeping with MaxPreps.
On offense, Bosco working again Cameron Jones rushed for 134 yards on 21 carries and had a pair of touchdowns, together with a 20-yard reception.
Bosco scored a pair of touchdowns within the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead into the second half.
The Braves pulled a trick play out of its bag within the third quarter, with Stacy Dobbins catching a lateral behind the road of scrimmage, rolling proper, after which throwing a landing move to the wide-open Tommy Maher downfield.
Now it’s getting foolish … ?
St. John Bosco with a trick play to go up on Mater Dei 21-0 with 6:49 to play within the third.
Stacy Dobbins to Tommy Maher. Caleb Sanchez with the hockey help. pic.twitter.com/HWVCz0ax9G
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) October 14, 2023
Bosco iced the sport within the fourth quarter with a speeding landing by Chauncey Sylvester.
With this shutout, St. John Bosco takes possession of first place within the Trinity League with simply two video games remaining within the common season. All of the momentum might be on the Courageous as they search one other championship, one that will must run via Mater Dei as soon as once more.
They’ve proven they’re prepared.
Mater Dei must reckon with this shutout to the heated rival. In dropping on this vogue, the No. 1 workforce within the nation might be vying to recuperate from this shock.
The shock ripples throughout not solely California however the nationwide Tremendous 25 rankings.
Even when Mater Dei wins the Southern Part Division 1 championship, during which they might have to face the Braves once more, a loss like this might be practically not possible to recuperate for nationwide championships consideration.
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) is now 9-0 and has dismantled its opposition. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.) is 7-0 with a handful of sturdy wins, and Duncanville (Texas) improved to 6-0 with a 51-0 shutout of its personal.
That’s not counting St. John Bosco, both, who has discovered new life with this convincing victory. The Braves are again in rivalry for nationwide glory.
Extra from the highschool scoreboard:
USA TODAY Excessive College Sports activities Tremendous 25 soccer rating recap
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