Behind senior quarterback Elijah Brown and loaded supporting cast, Monarchs favored to secure third national title since 2017 under first-year head coach.
Waves of talent, 10 returning starters on defense and senior quarterback
Elijah Brown helped put
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in the No. 1 spot of our Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings. Brown is 29-1 as the program's starting signal caller, helping the Monarchs extend a streak of five consecutive top three national finishes.
First-year head coach Frank McManus takes over for Bruce Rollinson, who retired after 34 years on the sideline at Mater Dei. He led the Monarchs to a 341-87-2 record and national titles in 2017 and 2021. McManus has been with Mater Dei for 16 years, the last seven as defensive backs coach.
Read on for a complete look at the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25. Click on school names for complete team previews.
Head coach: Frank McManus
2022 record: 12-1 | Final ranking: No. 3
Head coach: Brent Browner
2022 record: 14-1 | Final ranking: No. 4
Head coach: Jason Negro
2022 record: 13-1 | Final ranking: No. 1
Head coach: Billy Miller
2022 record: 8-1 | Final ranking: No. 5
Head coach: Jube Joseph
2022 record: 14-0 | Final ranking: No. 2
Head coach: Messay Hailemariam
2022 record: 9-1 | Final ranking: No. 8
Head coach: Dameon Jones
2022 record: 13-1 | Final ranking: No. 10
Head coach: Reginald Samples
2022 record: 15-0 | Final ranking: No. 7
Head coach: Roger Harriott
2022 record: 14-0 | Final ranking: No. 6
Head coach: Bryant Appling
2022 record: 11-1 | Final ranking: Not ranked
Head coach: Tim Roken
2022 record: 12-1 | Final ranking: No. 19
Head coach: Joey King
2022 record: 14-1 | Final ranking: No. 22
Head coach: Willie Gaston
2022 record: 14-1 | Final ranking: No. 9
Head coach: Daniel Williams
2022 record: 15-0 | Final ranking: No. 15
Head coach: Matt Logan
2022 record: 9-2 | Final ranking: Not ranked
Head coach: Tom Lombardo
2022 record: 15-1 | Final ranking: No. 17
2022 record: 13-2 | Final ranking: No. 21
Head coach: Chris McDonald
2022 record: 12-1 | Final ranking: No. 18
Head coach: Kevin Mawae
2022 record: 13-0 | Final ranking: No. 13
Head coach: Sean Calhoun
2022 record: 13-1 | Final ranking: Not ranked
Head coach: Mike Smith
2022 record: 13-2 | Final ranking: No. 12
Head coach: Andy Stefanelli
2022 record: 8-3 | Final ranking: Not ranked
Head coach: Dave Dunn
2022 record: 14-1 | Final ranking: No. 23
Head coach: Vito Campanile
2022 record: 11-1 | Final ranking: No. 20
Head coach: Calvin Norman
2022 record: 14-0 | Final ranking: Not ranked
