Mater Dei Football: CIF Semifinal Thriller

A Showdown of Titans: Mater Dei vs. Corona Centennial

The CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals delivered another epic clash as No. 16 Mater Dei Monarchs faced off against No. 7 Corona Centennial Huskies. This highly anticipated matchup was more than just a game; it was a rematch of their earlier season shootout, where Centennial narrowly escaped with a 43-36 victory. Both teams entered this contest with impressive records and explosive offenses, setting the stage for another high-scoring affair.

Regular Season Dominance

Mater Dei (8-2) has been on a roll, riding a four-game winning streak. The Monarchs have been offensive powerhouses, outscoring opponents 266-182 this season. Their only losses were a hard-fought 7-6 nail-biter against Santa Margarita and the earlier shootout against Centennial. Led by senior quarterback Ryan Hopkins, who has thrown for 2,081 yards and 16 touchdowns, and a receiving corps featuring standouts like Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (624 yards, 7 TDs) and Chris Henry Jr. (588 yards, 5 TDs), Mater Dei's offense can strike quickly.

On the other side, Corona Centennial (10-1) boasts an even more lethal offense, having outscored opponents 529-241. Their lone loss came in overtime against Santa Margarita. Senior quarterback Dominick Catalano has been exceptional, throwing for 1,898 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 531 yards and 5 TDs on the ground. The backfield is equally dynamic with sophomore sensation Malaki Davis (863 yards, 18 TDs) and senior Zander Lewis (502 yards, 7 TDs). Wide receiver Ty Plinski has been a game-changer, highlighted by his incredible one-handed catches.

Key Moments from the Semifinal

The game was a thrill from start to finish. Mater Dei struck first with a touchdown by running back Kennie Leggett, taking a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. However, Centennial's relentless offense responded with two touchdowns in the second quarter, including a clutch 4-yard run by Catalano, to take a 14-10 lead into halftime.

The second half saw more fireworks. Mater Dei's Kayden Dixon-Wyatt turned the tide early in the third quarter with a 43-yard touchdown reception, giving the Monarchs a brief 16-14 lead. But Centennial answered back, capped by Catalano's second rushing touchdown of the game, reclaiming the lead 21-16.

The fourth quarter was just as intense. Mater Dei's Mark Bowman scored on the first play, but a false start penalty pushed them back, resulting in a field goal that narrowed the deficit to 21-19. The game remained tight, with both defenses making crucial stops to keep their teams in contention.

Stars Shine Bright

Several players delivered standout performances. For Mater Dei, Hopkins orchestrated the offense efficiently, while Dixon-Wyatt's speed and hands were on full display. Defensively, senior linebacker Shaun Scott was a force with 11.5 sacks, and cornerback CJ Lavender made key plays, including a huge punt return.

Centennial's Catalano was nearly flawless, especially in the red zone, and Davis continued his breakout season. Plinski's one-handed catch in the third quarter was a highlight-reel play that set up a touchdown. Jayden Walk-Green was perfect on extra points and contributed significantly on defense with an interception.

What's Next?

This semifinal victory for Centennial advances them to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship game, where they'll face the winner of the other semifinal. For Mater Dei, despite the loss, the season was a testament to their resilience and talent. With Hopkins and Dixon-Wyatt returning next year, the Monarchs are poised for another strong run.

Both teams have proven they belong among the elite in high school football, and this game reinforced their status as perennial powerhouses. The CIF championship promises to be just as exciting, as these titans of the gridiron continue their quest for glory.