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SANTA ANA, Calif. — A storied California high school football rivalry resumes Friday night as Mater Dei hosts St. John Bosco at Santa Ana Stadium in a Trinity League clash with major postseason ramifications.
Neither squad boasts an unblemished record this season, yet the stakes remain high for both the Monarchs and the Braves. Each team sits at 7-2 overall and 3-1 in Trinity League action, making this meeting a key chance to bolster playoff positioning.
Game Details
Who: St. John Bosco at Mater Dei
When: 10 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. local
Where: Santa Ana Stadium, Santa Ana, California
Livestream: NFHS Network
St. John Bosco, ranked among the nation's top 20, brings a veteran offense led by junior quarterback Koa Malau'ulu. A three-year starter, Malau'ulu has passed for nearly 1,800 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. He also has substantial experience against Mater Dei, having thrown for 700 yards and four touchdowns in three prior meetings.
Malau'ulu benefits from a talented supporting cast, including running back Maliq Allen and wide receiver D.J. Tubbs. Allen has been a key offensive weapon, scoring four touchdowns in a 40-14 win over JSerra earlier this month.
Mater Dei counters with a much younger quarterback in freshman Paytyn Guess, who impressed in last week's 52-38 victory over Orange Lutheran. Guess threw for 150 yards and accounted for two touchdowns as the Monarchs extended their winning streak to three games.
Running back Asir Nembhard, wide receiver Gavin Honore, defensive back Isaiah Danns, and linebacker Michael Davis provide Mater Dei with additional playmakers on both sides of the ball. The Monarchs have found their offensive groove recently, scoring 131 points during their three-game win streak. Their victory over Orange Lutheran was especially noteworthy given a lengthy weather delay before they pulled away.
Bosco, meanwhile, rebounded from a loss to Santa Margarita with a dominant 54-7 win over Servite last week.
Defensively, both teams have allowed exactly 167 points through nine games, an average of just over 18 points per contest. Bosco has shown the ability to produce explosive offensive performances, while Mater Dei has demonstrated resilience when games become difficult.
Key Analysis
The rivalry has delivered memorable postseason moments, and Friday's meeting marks the 18th matchup between the programs since 2016. Seven of those meetings have occurred in the postseason, highlighting how often these Southern California powers compete for championships.
With both teams still firmly in the hunt for a CIF Southern Section championship and a California Open Division title, the winner will carry significant momentum into the postseason. Neither team can afford to overlook the importance of this game.
Refresh this page regularly during the game for live updates below. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.