High school football: Reigning MaxPreps National Champion Mater Dei releases 2022 football schedule

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), the defending MaxPreps National Champion, recently released its 2022 football schedule with matchups against Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and Centennial (Corona, Calif.) in back-to-back weeks highlighting the non-league docket. 

The Monarchs' biggest game of the season is Oct. 7 when they host Trinity League rival St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) in what's become one of the most anticipated meetings on the schedule annually. Expect both powerhouse programs to be near the top when the preseason MaxPreps Top 25 rankings come out in June. Mater Dei has finished either No. 1 or No. 2 every year since 2017 while the Braves have finished in the top 10 six consecutive seasons, the longest active streak.

After St. John Bosco won six straight meetings from 2011-15 the Monarchs have won seven of the last 10, including two in a row.

Mater Dei is coming off a 12-0 season where it went wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the country for the second time since 2017. They had five wins over MaxPreps Top 25 opponents and beat Serra (San Mateo) 44-7 in the CIF Open Division state championship. It was the program's third state title in five years. While the Monarchs have to replace key players like C.J. Williams, Raleek Brown, Domani Jackson, David Bailey, Cam Sidney and Josh Hunter, coach Bruce Rollinson brings back a lot of talent.

MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year Elijah Brown is back under center and will have one of the best offensive lines in the country protecting him. B.J. Tolo, DeAndre Carter, Brandon Baker and Lipe Moala all return to protect Brown.

Expect big years from Class of 2025 running back Jordon Davison and rising junior wide receiver Jack Ressler. 

Leviticus Su'a, Tanner Williams and Zabien Brown will be the leaders on defense.

Next season will be Rollinson's 34th year as head coach. He has led the Monarchs to a 329-86-2 record. Matt Leinart, Matt Barkley, Amon-Ra St. Brown, J.T. Daniels and Bryce Young are just some of the notable players who have played under Rollinson at Mater Dei.

Aug. 19 — vs. West (Salt Lake City)

Aug. 26 — at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

Sept. 2 — at Centennial (Corona)

Sept. 9 — vs. La Mirada

Sept. 16 — vs. Mililani (Hawaii)

Sept. 30 — at JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano)

Oct. 7 — vs. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)

Oct. 14 — vs. Orange Lutheran (Orange)

Oct. 21 — at Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)

Oct. 28 — at Servite (Anaheim)