Bryce Young throws three touchdowns and Monarchs shutout Centennial for three quarters in impressive opening-night victory.
Video: Bryce Young highlights Highlights of Mater Dei's 5-star quarterback.
Reigning MaxPreps Junior of the Year
Bryce Young connected on three touchdown passes, but it was the Monarchs' defense that was particularly impressive, holding the potent Centennial attack scoreless for three quarters.
By then, Mater Dei was up by six touchdowns and the two-time defending California Open Division champions were in complete command.
The Huskies looked good early, driving into the red zone on their first possession. But the Monarchs held on downs, and when
Quincy Craig immediately bolted on a 57-yard touchdown run, the home team was in immediately in command.
Cameron Leofa added a touchdown run later in the first quarter to put the Monarchs up 14-0.
Young, a USC commit, connected on his first touchdown pass of the year, hitting
Kody Epps from 2-yards out to extend the lead to 21-0.
Bryce Young, Mater Dei
File photo by Ming Chung Lin
Mater Dei added two more scores before the first half, finished off with a pick-six from
Ray Leutele. Young added a 15-yard touchdown pass to 2021 wide receiver
Kyron Ware-Hudson, making it 35-0 at halftime.
The Monarchs' young defense kept its impressive performance going in the second half and held the Huskies scoreless through three quarters. Offensively,
Christian Dixon added a one-handed touchdown reception from 8-yards out, making it 42-0.
Nicholas Floyd added a couple of late touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to cut it to 42-12 deficit, but this one had long been decided. Mater Dei has now outscored the Inland Empire power 90-26 over its last two meetings.
Up next for the Monarchs is Villa Park (Calif.) on Aug. 29 and Corona Centennial takes on another Trinity League opponent, Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) on Aug. 30.
