Tag: California high school football

Mater Dei, St. John Bosco headline high school football playoff games this week

Here’s a preview of who Mater Dei and St. John Bosco will be facing next.

Two of the top-five teams in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings  have advanced to the next round of the CIF Southern Section Football Playoffs, setting up big-time games this weekend.

Here’s a preview of both Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.

Mater Dei (11-0) at Los Alamitos (9-2)

Mater Dei: This past week the Monarchs defeated JSerra Catholic at home, 54-14. Junior quarterback Elijah Brown threw two touchdown passes and Sophomore running back Jordon Davison rushed for three more. Mater Dei remains undefeated this season and most of their victories have been comfortable. They haven’t won by fewer than eight points since Week 2 against Nevada heavyweight Bishop Gorman.

Los Alamitos: To get here, the Griffins had to get past Long Beach Poly, which they did in a 52-42 win at home last week.  While there are two losses on their schedule, the last one was at the beginning of September against Arizona powerhouse Basha. Since then, they’ve been steamrolling everybody. Before their matchup with Poly they had outscored their opponents 394-132 over their last seven games, and have USC commit Malachi Nelson under center.

Watch live: NFHS Network

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St. John Bosco (10-1) at Mission Viejo (10-1)

St. John Bosco: In their sectional matchup, the Braves beat Orange Lutheran by a score of 49-14. Senior quarterback Pierce Clarkson led the charge with five touchdown passes and a 141.2 QB rating. Bosco’s only loss this season came against Mater Dei in early October. They have dominated everybody else this year, winning all their other games by at least 27 points.

Mission Viejo: To advance, the Diablos defeated Centennial last Friday night in a 31-28 thriller. Senior receiver Edward Schultz scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. For the season, Mission Viejo’s only loss was against Long Beach Poly (35-30) back in Week 3.

Watch Live: NFHS Network

(File)

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High School Football Playoffs: 5 major California Sectionals matchups this week

Here are five high-profile matchups we will be keeping an eye on.

We’re talking about the playoffs here at USA TODAY HSS, focusing on several areas with the country’s best high school football teams. While Florida and Texas both have tons of talent, one of the most notable areas—especially in 2022—is California.

And that brings us to the California Sectionals, which begin this weekend.

Here are five high-profile matchups, teams that are currently in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25, we will be keeping an eye on.

Mater Dei (10-0) vs. JSerra Catholic (6-5)

The reigning national champion Monarchs have spent the entire 2022 season at the top of our Super 25 power rankings list, beating all comers – including national powerhouses like Bishop Gorman, Centennial and Bosco.

Their first playoff opponent will be JSerra Catholic, who they beat earlier this season, 21-13. That’s about as tight as anyone has played Mater Dei all year aside from the close call in Week 2 against Gorman. JSerra will need to find an answer for Sophomore wide receiver Marcus Harris, who led the way for Mater Dei – totaling three catches, 105 yards and two touchdowns.

St. John Bosco (9-1) vs. Orange Lutheran (7-4)

Bosco’s only loss this season came against Mater Dei and they managed to keep the margin to 10 points. Otherwise, the Braves have rolled over every single other opponent they’ve faced this year. None of their nine wins came by any less than 27 points.

Meanwhile, Orange Lutheran advanced by the skin of their teeth, defeating Edison on the road by one point last week, 38-37. Sophomore quarterback TJ Lateef threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more.

Centennial (9-1) vs. Mission Viejo (9-1)

Centennial is another team whose only loss this year came against the best in the business. They faced Mater Dei in their third game of the season and lost 43-20. Since then they’ve blown their competition away. In the seven games since, they’ve outscored their opponents 365-71.

Mission Viejo should provide a real test, though. Their only loss came against Long Beach Poly, a 35-30 thriller early in September. Their last two games were won by a combined score of 134-7.

Long Beach Poly (10-0) vs. Los Alamitos (8-2)

It doesn’t get any more dominant than undefeated – which is what the Jackrabbits are coming into the playoffs. Long Beach faced a couple of difficult tests early in the season but lately has absolutely crushed their opponents defensively. Each of the last five teams they’ve faced hasn’t scored a single point against them.

Los Alamitos is on another level compared to those teams, though. Since losing two of their first three games to American Heritage and Basha – both serious national teams – they’ve recovered and gotten better every week. Their most recent victory came against Fountain Valley, who they beat 68-0 two weeks ago.

Serra (10-0) vs. Palma (8-2)

Finally, undefeated Serra from San Mateo will face Palma (Salinas) on Saturday afternoon. Serra is led by Junior quarterback Maealiuaki Smith has thrown 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions this year.

Avoiding turnovers will be key for Palma, who stumbled last week against Salinas, suffering their first loss since their 2022 season opener. Junior QB Thomas Nunes threw three interceptions.

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Follow the postseason action: Watch high school football playoffs live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

Football Rewind: Mission Viejo WR Mikey Matthews’ epic 70-yard kickoff return touchdown

In the second quarter, Senior receiver Mikey Matthews pulled off an epic 70-yard kick return touchdown.

One of the best high school football teams that hasn’t made our Super 25 list this season is Mission Viejo (Calif.).

They’re making a strong push, though. This past week, they put in another crushing victory, defeating Capistrano Valley (Calif.) by a score of 63-7. The Diablos were dominant in all three phases of the game, including special teams.

In the second quarter, Senior receiver Mikey Matthews pulled off an epic 70-yard kick return touchdown. Watch.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkeVCa-LC1d/

In addition to his work as a returner, Matthews (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) has caught 50 passes this year, totaling 834 yards and 10 touchdowns. So far he has 21 reported offers from college programs. The leading contenders to get his commitment are Boise State, Colorado, Washington State and Utah.

The win improved Mission Viejo’s record this season to 9-1. Next up, they have a road playoff game against Centennial (Calif.), a team which is currently ranked No. 15 in the country.

RB Bella Rasmussen becomes 1st girl in California history to score 2 TDs in 1 game

Laguna Beach RB Bella Rasmussen made California high school football history by becoming the first girl to score two touchdowns in one game.

In the second quarter of the Laguna Beach (Calif.) game against Santa Ana Valley High (Calif.) on Friday, senior running back Bella Rasmussen accomplished something she told the Los Angeles Times was a childhood dream — scoring a touchdown in a varsity game.

She then did it again.

With those touchdowns, rushes of four yards and one yard in the second quarter of the 48-0 win on Friday, Rasmussen became the first girl in the state to score two touchdowns in a single game, according to Cal-Hi. She is one of eight girls to score a touchdown in a game in California history.

Rasmussen finished the game with 21 yards on eight carries, according to the Orange County Register. The video of her second touchdown was posted to Instagram:

Rasmussen, a running back and defensive end, has played youth football and high school football for the last four years, according to the Los Angeles Times. She said to the outlet:

“To be able to do it was something I had been dreaming about since I was 6 years old … I ran to my mom, ‘I did it.’ I was sobbing when I came off the field I was so excited.”

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High School Football Rewind: Watch this explosive TD run seal the game for Mater Dei over St. John Bosco

Needing a big play to put the Braves away, the Monarchs looked to Sophomore running back Jordon Davison and he came through.

The biggest high school football game of the year—Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco—turned out to be a defensive slugfest, a big change from their matchup last season, which ended in a 42-21 win for the Monarchs. 

This time around, neither quarterback threw a single touchdown pass and heading into the fourth quarter, the game was a close battle.

Mater Dei got out in front, and needing a big play to put the Braves away, called on Sophomore running back Jordon Davison.

And he certainly answered. 

Watch his 38-yard touchdown run to seal the deal for Mater Dei, winning by a score of 17-7.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjn861kss_N/

Davison (5-foot-11, 210 pounds) finished the evening with 114 rushing yards on 22 carries. He’s a five-star recruit, ranked the No. 1 running back in the class of 2025. Davison already has 36 offers on the table from college programs.

Next up on the schedule, Mater Dei will visit 6-1 Orange Lutheran (Calif.) while St. John Bosco hosts 3-4 JSerra Catholic (Calif.).

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California HS team to stop flying controversial ‘thin blue line’ flag before games

Superintendent Mike Kuhlman sent a letter to the school community explaining the process that led to the decision.

The Saugus (Calif.) high school football team in Santa Clarita will no longer fly the controversial “thin blue line” flag before their games.

Superintendent Mike Kuhlman sent a letter to the school community explaining the process that led to the decision.

Per Christian Martinez at the LA Times, the principal held a meeting with head coach Jason Bornn, who decided to change course after considering not every player might feel comfortable being represented by the flag.

“While many embrace the symbol as simply a celebration of law enforcement, others have shared their feeling that the symbol has sometimes been co-opted by intolerant individuals with an agenda to divide and exclude… Given that some individuals have expressed concern that they interpret the Thin Blue Line flag to be divisive, it occurred to him that it’s possible that some players on the team might not be entirely enthusiastic about a symbol that is being used to represent the entire team.”

Some parents will be protesting the decision by bringing their own flags for the next home game on October 7.

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California football coach placed on leave following alleged battery after Friday night game

The incident took place after a refused hand shake between the team’s two head coaches.

A high school football coach in La Verne, California, has been placed on leave following an accusation of battery following Friday night’s game between Damien High (Calif.) and Bishop Amat (Calif.).

According to CBS Los Angeles, Bishop Amat running back Aiden Ramos says that one of the coaches from Damien High grabbed his shoulder pads and “ripped his helmet off.” The incident took place after a refused handshake between the team’s two head coaches.

Fred Robledo at SGVN shared a statement from the La Verne police department saying they are investigating a battery charge.

 

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles also released a statement that they will conduct their own investigation.

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Top California high school football recruits in the USA TODAY rankings

The best of California high school football recruiting for 2022

California high school football has neared an end to the 2021 season, with the playoff matchups narrowing to semifinals and finals across the state. 

As usual, the Golden State is loaded with top talent that will be part of big-time NCAA programs for the 2022 season, from perennial USA TODAY Super 25 schools like Mater Dei, St. John Bosco, Servite, and more. And once the championship games have been completed, all eyes will shift to the senior class’s coveted athletes and where each has decided to commit.

With that in mind, here are the current top recruits (and where they are headed in 2022 if a verbal has been made), according to the USA TODAY High School Sports Recruiting Rankings, which averages the grades from the three biggest recruiting services: 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals. 

(Note: the recruit’s measurements and position are courtesy of 247Sports.)

Inglewood Sentinels QB Justyn Martin tossed 13 touchdowns in 106-0 win

California high school football has a new touchdown passing record

Inglewood Sentinels (Calif.) quarterback Justyn Martin had quite a week, beginning with the four-star recruit’s commitment nod to the UCLA Bruins—over the likes of Michigan, USC and Oregon—and ending with a 13-touchdown performance on Friday that resulted in a 106-0 bludgeoning of rival Morningside (Calif.).

Yep: 13 and 106.

Martin’s performance created a statistical highlight reel that rivaled the record set by Cozad’s (Neb.) Arthur Smith, who tossed 15 TDs in 1921. And while we only have the whispers of yesteryear (via Google, of course) to picture that unreal QB clinic, Martin’s video-game-like performance and each aerial 6 was captured by amazed onlookers.

The 6-foot-4 slinger tied the California record (10) before halftime, and surpassed it in third.

He would continue to connect with Sentinels receivers—albeit on mostly dump offs—and tossed No. 13 as the game finally came to an end.

As expected with a lopsided boxscore such as this, the achievement didn’t come without controversy—such as why the Sentinels decided to keep the star senior QB in the entire game.

But none of the fodder will change the record-setting night.

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Top 25 Class of 2022 high school football players from California

USA Today High School Sports takes a look at the top 25 class of 2022 high school football players from California.

The 2021 high school football season is just weeks away from kicking off, which means some of the top talents in the nation will be returning to the field in search of a state championship.

With the season on the horizon, USA Today High School Sports is taking a look at the top players in some of the nation’s high school football hotspots. California is home to some of the best high school football programs in the country, with the likes of Mater Dei, St. John Bosco and Servite routinely in national rankings.

As such, the state is loaded with elite talent.

Here are the top 25 class of 2022 high school football players from California.

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