Mater Dei got its get back, but Corona Centennial made the Monarchs earn every bit of it.
Centennial entered the Santa Ana Bowl after beating Mater Dei twice last season, including a one-point playoff victory that ended the Monarchs’ season. The rematch delivered another one-point finish, only this time Mater Dei found a way to leave with a 10-9 victory.
Centennial came out aggressive and marched right down the field on its opening possession. The drive also introduced one of the most anticipated individual matchups of the night: USC commits Quentin Hale and Danny Lang.
One of the wildest plays of the opening drive came when Lang broke up a pass intended for Hale. The deflection appeared headed toward a Mater Dei safety with a chance to intercept it, but Hale never gave up on the play. He tracked the ball and ripped it away from the defender for an impressive catch.
It was tremendous effort from Hale, but Lang had initially done exactly what a defensive back is supposed to do: get his hand on the football.
Kennie Leggett eventually finished Centennial’s opening drive with a 3-yard reverse for a touchdown. A bad Mater Dei punt snap later resulted in a safety, extending Centennial’s lead to 9-0.
The Huskies controlled much of the first half. Mater Dei eventually cut the deficit to 9-3 with a field goal, but Centennial nearly added more points before halftime.
Quarterback Jaden Jefferson helped push the Huskies deep into Mater Dei territory, including a big completion to Jaden Bynum that put Centennial in position to score. The clock expired before the Huskies could get another snap off, leaving points on the field and sending Centennial into halftime ahead 9-3.
That missed opportunity became even more significant as the game tightened in the second half.
Mater Dei’s defense began creating momentum of its own. David King III forced a fumble, and Lang recovered it before racing toward the end zone for what appeared to be a defensive touchdown. A penalty erased the return, but the turnover gave Mater Dei another opportunity.
Centennial’s defense responded with one of the biggest plays of the game.
Mater Dei drove all the way down to the goal line behind its freshman quarterback Paytyn Guess, putting the Monarchs in position to take control. Centennial refused to break. Guess lost the football near the goal line, and Dean Gibson recovered the fumble, taking a potential Mater Dei touchdown off the board and preserving Centennial’s lead.
It was exactly the type of play that defined the night. Every time one team appeared ready to seize control, the other answered.
The game became a defensive fight from there. Centennial continued making life difficult for Mater Dei’s offense, while the Monarchs kept searching for the turnover that could finally change the game.
They eventually found it.
In the fourth quarter, Michael Davis intercepted a tipped shovel pass deep in Centennial territory, handing Mater Dei the short field it needed. Russell Sekona powered into the end zone from two yards out, and the extra point gave Mater Dei its first lead of the night, 10-9.
Centennial still had an opportunity to answer.
Hale provided a spark with a 40-yard kickoff return, and the Huskies moved back into scoring range with a chance to retake the lead. Centennial eventually lined up for a 27-yard field goal, but the kick missed.
Mater Dei finally had its get back.
The final score does not fully explain how competitive the game was. Centennial outgained Mater Dei 280-154 and doubled the Monarchs in first downs, 16-8. The Huskies controlled significant portions of the night, but Mater Dei’s defense kept creating opportunities until its offense finally capitalized.
Then there was Hale versus Lang.
Hale eventually made a long reception against Lang and finished the night with four catches for 80 yards. Outside of those moments, Lang limited the impact of one of the country’s premier receivers and competed with him throughout the night.
From JB’s perspective, Danny Lang won the overall matchup.
That does not diminish what Hale showed. These are two USC commits and two of the best players in the nation at their respective positions. You could make a legitimate argument that both are the best in the country at what they do.
Friday night gave Southern California another classic between two programs loaded with elite talent. Centennial struck first, controlled stretches of the game and came within a field goal of winning it.
Mater Dei absorbed everything the Huskies threw at them and found a way to answer.
Last season, Centennial finished the job.
This time, Mater Dei did.
Mater Dei 10, Corona Centennial 9.
