California Top 5 Games of the Week: No. 1 Mater Dei vs. No. 2 St. John Bosco in Southern Section Division 1 final

The winner puts itself in position to be the National Champion. Mater Dei (12-0) is trying to do what they did in 2017 and that is go wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the country and Bosco (11-1) is looking to even up the season series.  Expect this game to be even closer than the 14-point win the Monarchs secured in October, 42-28. Beyond all the hoopla surrounded the game and what is at stake, it's also noteworthy because it will be the last match-up of two of the best and most accomplished quarterbacks in Southern California history. Young, an Alabama commit, has completed 275-of-375 for 4,228 yards, 54 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He's also rushed for 395 yards and 10 scores. Uiagalelei is 172-of-277 for 3,369 yards, 39 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He's rushed for 327 yards and seven scores. Both have multiple FBS caliber receiving threats and running backs at their disposal.  

The last time Corona del Mar (13-0) lost was 26-14 against Grace Brethren in the 2018 Southern Section Division 4 championship. The Sea Kings have been one of the most dominant teams in California this season winning every game by double digits led by 2020 Washington commit Ethan Garbers, who has put up video game numbers. He is fourth in the country with 4,342 yards passing and his 62 touchdown passes are good for second most. He and the Sea Kings face their biggest test of the year against the defending Division 2-AA state bowl champs. To win this Southern Section Division 3 title game, the Lancers (12-1) will likely need another big rushing game from Henderson, who had 26 carries for 273 yards and five touchdowns in a wild 49-45 semifinal win over La Habra.

Pittsburg: QB Jerry Johnson (6-3, 190), RB-CB Avant Muldrow (5-7, 175), WR-CB Johnny Blackmon, III (5-9, 160), WR-FS Brian Andre Pierce, Jr. (5-9, 170), LB Damuarya Harts (5-11, 170).

De La Salle: RB/S Shamar Garrett (5-8, 180), QB Dorian Hale (6-0, 175), WR Grant Daley (6-0, 180), RB James Coby (5-9, 160), ATH Lu-Magia Hearns (5-10, 160).

The last time the Spartans lost a North Coast Section playoff game was in 1991 to the same Pirates, a 35-27 3A championship game at the Oakland Coliseum. Since then, DLS has not only won 27 straight titles, but hasn't lost to a team North of Clovis, a span of 309 games (307-0-2). Pittsburg (11-1) has won 10 straight since a humbling loss to Serra (San Mateo) and rely largely on the strong right arm of Johnson (2,648 yards, 33 touchdowns) and Bay Valley Athletic League Offensive Player of the Year Muldrow. Pierce has turned into one of the Bay Area's top receivers. De La Salle (11-1) has been nearly perfect while routing all opponents since a season-opening loss to national No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). Its outscored foes 575-120 since then, with a majority of those points scored against in the fourth quarter.

Serra: WR Terence Loville (6-0, 180), RB/FS Nate Sanchez (5-11, 180), DL Nusi Malani (6-6, 260), QB Dominique Lampkin (6-11, 170), RB-LB Jerry Gaoteote (6-2, 215).

Valley Christian: LB Moon Ashby (6-5, 220), RB Isaiah McElvane (6-1, 185), WR-CB Deven Vanderbilt (6-2, 180), RB-LB Chase Laubach (5-8, 180), LB William Cuddie (5-9, 190).

A rematch of the Nov. 2 game, a 10-0 Serra win at home which helped decide the West Catholic Athletic League championship. This one decides the Central Coast Section Division 1 championship and a spot in the CIF Northern Regional Bowl Championships. Serra (11-1) has rebounded nicely from the loss of All-Northern California quarterback Dylan McLemore, who suffered a season-ending collarbone break a month ago, behind his replacement Lampkin, a shifty dual threat sophomore. The defense and special teams have especially picked up for Serra, particularly last week in a 27-13 win over Wilcox. Loville and Sanchez are big-play standouts for Padres. Valley Christian (11-1) has rebounded well from its loss to Serra with three straight impressive wins, including 28-7 at WCAL co-champion St. Ignatius last week. McElvane and Laubach led a big running attack that piled up almost 300 rushing yards against one of the Bay Area's top defenses.

Buchanan: RB Kendall Milton (6-2, 208), CB CJ Jones (5-11, 175), LB Matthew Merritt (6-2, 255), WR Brandon Hernandez (6-0, 180), QB Ian Kirby.

Central: Jameson Silva (6-1, 185), Quali Conley (6-0, 190), Xavier Worthy (6-0, 170), Jeremiah Hunter (6-1, 180), Dominic Mendez (5-10, 180).