Besides top game in the country, fifth-ranked Mission Viejo hosts No. 23 San Clemente and 12th-ranked Sierra Canyon visits No. 9 Grace Brethren are other big matchups.
Video: Top 10 Games of the Week
Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco pits nation's top two teams for second straight season.
The game sold out in less than a day. Tickets now have reportedly been scalped for $200. The nation's top two-rated quarterbacks will go head-to-head.
There's much to get excited about when top-ranked Mater Dei (Santa Ana) travels to No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) on Friday in the MaxPreps California Game of the Week. It's the nation's top game as well.
With so much media and national attention that Bosco coach Jason Negro had to slice into his coaching time to help with all the demands of putting on a game at beautiful new Panish Family Stadium. In his 10th season, Negro isn't complaining. Quite the opposite.
"This is beyond my imagination and dreams to be able to have a program that is garnering this much attention," he said. "Not only on a local level, but at a state and national level. It's crazy to think how much the school and program has elevated. I'm am super proud of entire staff. I surround myself with nothing but great and dedicated people. I'm very, very lucky."
Since going 5-5 his first season, the Braves have gone 103-18 and won state Open Division championships in 2013 and 2016, earning Top 5 national rankings.
Mater Dei, under legendary coach Bruce Rollinson, was the dominating Southern Section program in the 90s — and it won two mythical national championships.
It hit tougher times early in 2000s, but earned back national acclaim in 2016. Since then, the Monarchs have gone 49-3 with a MaxPreps national crown in 2017 and No. 2 ranking last season. Playing perhaps the nation's toughest schedule, the Monarchs are back on top again, but the Braves are hoping to trade places.
Negro, who helps with special teams, said he patterned his head coaching style after Rollinson. "I think we both look at it like a CEO," Negro said. "I watched him from afar the way he created his empire. I'm not comparing myself to him, but I see my job as empowering and entrusting other people to allow them to be successful. I think it's worked to near perfection."
St. John Bosco takes the field in its home opener vs. DeMatha.
File photo by Louis Lopez
No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) at No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower)7:30 p.m. Friday (All times PDT)
Top Players
The
winner of this one controls its own destiny to be the national
champion. Both are 8-0 and winning by over 30 points per game. This is
the most anticipated matchup of the year and there are 47 players
featured who are rated as a 3-star recruit or higher or have at least
one FBS offer.
7 p.m. Friday
Top Players
Mission
Viejo is trending in the right direction to joining the national rankings soon
and a statement win against an 8-1 San Clemente squad would go a long
way. The Diablos (8) have won every game by double
digits. The Tritons beat Mission Viejo last year for the first time since 1999
and if they make it two straight they will win the South Coast league
title. If Viejo wins, the Diablos would need to beat Tesoro (Rancho Santa
Margarita) next week to clinch the outright title.
No. 12 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) at No. 9 Grace Brethren (Simi Valley)Friday, 7 p.m.
Top Players
This
one has huge implications in the Top 25 Small Schools national rankings. Grace
Brethren has been playing lights out this year and has won every game by
at least 14 points. Its biggest win came back in late August when the
Lancers beat Oaks Christian (Westlake Village) 54-28. The Trail
Blazers only loss this year came against that Oaks Christian squad by a
touchdown in early September. They've since won five straight. This is
the fourth straight season these two schools lock horns with Sierra
Canyon winning the previous three meetings.
7 p.m. Friday
Top Players
Newport Harbor: QB Cole Lavin (6-2, 205), RB-CB Justin McCoy (5-10, 185), WR-CB Aidan Goltz (6-1, 185), MLB Chad Koste (6-0, 200), RB-LB Johnny Brigandi (5-10, 185).
This cross-town rivalry has been nip-and-tuck since 2003, with Newport Harbor winning eight of the 15 games. The Sailors lost last season, however, 62-14 as Garbers threw for 333 yards and seven touchdowns, two each to Humphreys and Redman. Newport Harbor, 3-6-1 last season, enters 7-1 on Friday night while Corona del Mark is 8-0.
7 p.m. Friday
Top Players
Another terrific series since 2004 has been almost evenly divided with Amat taking seven of 13 games, including 28-14 last season. The Lancers (7-1) have won five straight since a 38-14 loss to JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), including the last three games by a total of 18 points. Notre Dame has responded well since a 35-14 loss to Chaminade (West Hills) with two gritty wins over Serra-Gardena (17-6) and Loyola-Los Angeles (29-23).
Mater Dei lost 41-18 in last year's regular-season game to St. John Bosco before winning 17-13 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship.
File photo by Louis Lopez
