Santa Ana, California is set to witness an exciting football showdown this Friday night as the top-ranked Mater Dei Monarchs take on the second-ranked Bishop Gorman from Nevada. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Santa Ana Bowl and will be broadcasted live on the NFHS Network and Bally Sports, reaching 11 regional networks across the nation.
Both teams are coming into this matchup with well-deserved confidence after a bye week. This season, the stakes are high, as the outcome of this game could play a crucial role in deciding the national champion for high school football at the end of 2024. Last year, both teams stood tall, with Mater Dei finishing undefeated in their state and Bishop Gorman doing the same.
In 2023, different rankings crowned the Monarchs and Gorman as national champions. Mater Dei earned the title from some outlets while Bishop Gorman received the honor from others, leading to a debate on who truly claimed the top spot. This year, both teams are eager to establish a clear leader in this historic rivalry.
Historically, Mater Dei has had the upper hand in past encounters, winning their last three meetings. They secured victories in 2017 (35-21), 2018 (42-0), and a close match in 2022 (24-21). This Friday’s clash will showcase prodigious talent, featuring 38 players rated 3-stars or better by 247Sports, including five-star wide receivers Chris Henry Jr. from Mater Dei and Derek Meadows from Gorman.
The future looks bright for both teams. Coach Raul Lara of Mater Dei has vocalized his excitement about the level of talent he is working with, reminiscent of his championship-winning teams in the early 2000s at Long Beach Poly. He expressed, “This (Mater Dei) team has a lot of talent,” hinting at the potential this year’s squad holds.
The game promises to be not just a clash of numbers and stats, but a thrilling display of talent and determination. As the countdown to kickoff begins, both teams are likely preparing for a historic battle that could affect the national rankings and ultimately dictate the path to the championship.
