Braves face Monarchs on Friday in 12th No. 1 vs. 2 battle since 2000.
On Thursday, Bally Sports announced its broadcast would be available to a national audience featuring play-by-play announcer Steve Quis alongside 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins, while Anna Connelly will provide sideline reports.
Bosco and Mater Dei have been involved in three of those meetings between top teams. But the highly-anticipated Trinity League showdown might be the first chapter in a titanic battle for state and national supremacy. The winner likely locks up the top seed in the Southern Section Division I playoffs.
This has become the biggest rivalry in high school football since 2016 as the schools have combined for three MaxPreps national titles in the past five years. Over 150 players from the two campuses have matriculated to the FBS or FCS level over the last seven years and Friday's contest features 74 players rated as a two-star prospects or higher by 247Sports.
How to watchWhen: Friday, Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m. PDT
Where: Santa Ana Bowl (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Streaming: Bally Sports West
The Monarchs are led by junior quarterback
Elijah Brown, who is 23-0 in his high school career and 2-0 against Bosco. The four-star junior has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Some of his weapons include sophomore running back
Jordon Davison and senior wideout
Jordan Onovughe. The defense is led by linebackers
Leviticus Su'a and
Nasir Wyatt.
St. John Bosco counters with a roster full of talent, including
Matayo Uiagalelei, perhaps the best two-way player in the game at defensive end and tight end. Bosco's offense has been prolific, outscoring opponents 291-31 as
Pierce Clarkson has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns while junior
Cameron Jones is averaging 11 yards per carry with 508 gained and eight scores.
Pierce Clarkson, St. John Bosco
Photo: Robbie Rakestraw
The last time the schools met as 1 vs. 2 was 2019 when
D.J. Uiagalelei led the Braves to a 39-34 win over
Bryce Young and Mater Dei in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship. St. John Bosco erased a 28-5 first half deficit and scored 34 unanswered to take a 39-28 lead early in the fourth.
Kris Hutson intercepted a Young pass in the end zone on the final play to seal the win for Bosco. The Braves would end the year as MaxPreps National Champions.
Players to watchSt. John Bosco: DL
Matayo Uiagalelei (6-6, 265, Sr.), WR
DeAndre Moore (6-0, 185, Sr.), LB
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (6-3, 230, Jr.), DB
Peyton Woodyard (6-2, 190, Jr.), QB
Pierce Clarkson (6-0, 190, Sr.)
Mater Dei: QB
Elijah Brown (6-2, 190, Jr.), OL
DeAndre Carter (6-5, 335, Jr.), LB
Nasir Wyatt (6-3, 210, So.), OL
B.J. Tolo (6-2, 310, Sr.), LB
Leviticus Su'a (6-1, 225, Sr.)
