Centennial Edges Mater Dei in Thriller

Classic California Clash Ends with Blocked FG in CIF Semifinal

The CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinal delivered everything fans hoped for: fireworks, momentum swings, and a heart-stopping finish. No. 7 Corona Centennial ultimately prevailed over No. 16 Mater Dei 28-27, thanks to a blocked field goal in the final seconds. The victory avenged Centennial's 43- shootout loss to Mater Dei in September and secures the Huskies' spot in the championship game.

First Half: Offensive Fireworks and Defensive Standouts

Both offenses came out firing. Mater Dei struck first on Kennie Leggett's 1-yard touchdown run, taking a 7-0 lead. Centennial answered with two touchdowns late in the second quarter, including Dominick Catalano's 4-yard run with just 26 seconds remaining, to take a 14-10 halftime edge.

Key defensive stands defined the half. Centennial twice turned the ball over on downs in Mater Dei territory, while Shaun Scott's sack for Mater Dei halted a Huskies drive. The back-and-forth nature set the stage for the drama to come.

Second Half: Lead Changes and Game-Defining Plays

The second half continued the offensive showcase. Mater Dei tied the game early in the third quarter when Kayden Dixon-Wyatt hauled in a 43-yard touchdown reception. However, Centennial reclaimed the lead thanks to an incredible one-handed catch by Ty Plinski that set up Catalano's second rushing touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, Mater Dei took the lead 27-21 after a touchdown pass from Ryan Hopkins to Chris Henry Jr., followed by a successful two-point conversion. Centennial answered immediately with a touchdown to go up 28-27 with under two minutes remaining.

On the final drive, Mater Dei drove to the Centennial 30-yard line, setting up a potential game-winning field goal. But in a stunning conclusion, Centennial's defense blocked the kick, securing the victory and advancing to the CIF title game.

Player Performances Shine in High-Stakes Battle

Both teams had standout players. For Mater Dei, quarterback Ryan Hopkins threw for 208 yards and a touchdown, while Kayden Dixon-Wyatt had 624 receiving yards and a touchdown this season. Defensively, Shaun Scott recorded 11.5 sacks and forced a crucial fumble.

Centennial was led by quarterback Dominick Catalano, who ran for two touchdowns and threw for 1,898 yards this season. Running back Malaki Davis dominated with 863 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, and receiver Ty Plinski's one-handed catch was a game-changer.

"This game had everything," said Centennial coach Matt Logan. "It's a credit to both programs and the rivalry we share."

What's Next for Both Teams?

Centennial now awaits the winner of the other CIF Division 1 semifinal between Santa Margarita and Orange Lutheran. The Huskies will look to capture their first CIF championship since 2019.

For Mater Dei, the season ends with an 8-2 record. Despite the loss, the Monarchs showed resilience after early setbacks and can build on this experience for next season.

The game underscored why California high school football is among the nation's best, with Mater Dei and Centennial continuing their storied rivalry on the biggest stage.