High School Football Showdown in Santa Ana: Mater Dei vs. Bishop Gorman

Santa Ana is gearing up for one of the biggest high school football matches of the season as No. 1-ranked Mater Dei prepares to host No. 2 Bishop Gorman from Nevada on Friday at 7 p.m. This highly-anticipated game will take place at the Santa Ana Bowl and will be available for fans to watch live on NFHS Network and Bally Sports, reaching over 11 regional networks across the country.

Both teams head into the game fresh off a bye week, and the outcome could be pivotal in determining which team gets crowned the mythical high school football national champion by the end of the 2024 season. Last year, both teams finished strong, with Mater Dei sitting at 1-0 this season and Bishop Gorman at a perfect 2-0, having dominated their respective states.

In 2023, Mater Dei was named the national champion by some outlets, while others chose Bishop Gorman, creating a split title scenario. However, the stakes are higher this year. If both teams continue their winning ways and grab state titles again in 2024, the result of this Friday night’s clash could seal the deal for the national crown.

Historically, Mater Dei has had Bishop Gorman’s number in their recent matchups, winning the last three meetings. The Monarchs defeated Gorman 24-21 in 2022, 42-0 in 2018, and 35-21 in 2017. Adding to the excitement, this game will showcase a plethora of talent, with 38 players rated 3-stars or better by 247Sports – Gorman boasts 20 while Mater Dei offers 18.

Both teams feature standout wide receivers, Chris Henry Jr. from Mater Dei and Derek Meadows from Gorman, who are both 5-star recruits committed to major colleges. Moreover, Mater Dei brings in several Oregon commits, such as running back Jordon Davison and edge rusher Nasir Wyatt, while Gorman’s Alai Kalaniuvalu stands out as a future Duck and a 6-foot-4, 300-pound lineman.

New Mater Dei head coach Raul Lara, who has an impressive background including CIF titles at Long Beach Poly, shared that the talent on his current team reminds him of his days with top athletes. “I feel like I have another team that I did at Long Beach Poly in 2001 when I had five All-Americans,” Lara stated. The expectations are high as both teams look forward to a thrilling evening of high school football.

Don’t miss out on this epic showdown that could set the tone for the rest of the season and the path to the national championship!