Santa Ana High School Football Showdown: Mater Dei vs. Bishop Gorman
Santa Ana, California – The heatwave hitting Southern California this week brought some challenges for high school football programs, with a few games being delayed or rescheduled due to extreme temperatures that soared to 113 degrees in certain areas. However, the high-stakes match between the top-ranked teams, No. 1 Mater Dei (1-0) and No. 2 Bishop Gorman (2-0), will not be affected. The highly anticipated game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at the Santa Ana Bowl in Orange County, with a cooler forecast of 83 degrees expected at kickoff. Fans can catch the action live on NFHS Network and Bally Sports.
This matchup features an impressive lineup of 38 college prospects rated 3-stars or higher, making it a pivotal early season game. Bishop Gorman heads into Friday night on a 27-game winning streak, with their last defeat coming against Mater Dei in 2021 by a close score of 24-21.
As the 2024 season unfolds, the winner of this game stands to gain a significant advantage in the race for a potential national championship title this December.
Game Updates
FINAL SCORE: Mater Dei 31, Bishop Gorman 15
Mater Dei solidified their position by claiming a convincing victory over Bishop Gorman. In the final moments, Gorman managed to score with a 5-yard pass from QB Maika Eugenio to WR Brandon Gaea, bringing the score to 31-15 with just over a minute left in the game.
Earlier in the fourth quarter, Mater Dei enhanced their lead when Trenton Dunn scored on an 11-yard run, making it 31-7 with 8:45 remaining. Dominic Zante also added to the score with a 26-yard field goal, extending Mater Dei’s lead to 24-7.
3RD QUARTER UPDATE: At the end of the third quarter, Mater Dei led 21-7. Mater Dei’s star player, Chris Henry Jr., had to leave the game due to an undisclosed injury, which raised concerns among fans.
Jordon Davison, who has committed to the Oregon Ducks, made a significant impact, scoring twice, including a 23-yard touchdown in the third quarter to maintain Mater Dei’s edge.
HALFTIME SCORE: Mater Dei 14, Bishop Gorman 7
At halftime, the game was tight. Mater Dei’s quarterback Dash Beierly completed 7 of 8 passes for 68 yards and 1 touchdown, while Bishop Gorman showed signs of life in the last moments of the half with a 4-yard TD pass from Maika Eugenio.
The excitement surrounding this matchup will surely echo through the rest of the season as both teams continue to strive for excellence. Be sure to stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses.
