California high school football: Mater Dei schedule, players to watch

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) has been one of the most successful high school football programs during Bruce Rollinson's tenure. Entering his 32nd year as Monarchs' head coach, Rollinson is 312-86-2.

Mater Dei has finished ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings in each of the last three years and was named national champs by USA Today in 1994 and 1996.

However, this year will be like no other for Coach Rollo. There will be no postseason. No out-of-state matchups or non-league games.

This season is just about the kids getting an opportunity to play the sport they grew up loving. Over a month ago it seemed a long shot for California football, but after the state announced new guidelines on Feb. 19 that allowed most counties an opportunity to play a shortened spring season.

It will be impossible for Mater Dei to replace Bryce Young under center. He was one of the best quarterbacks of all-time and expect junior Emmett Brown, sophomore Parker Awad and freshman Elijah Brown to all get playing time this spring.

Whoever is under center for the Monarchs will have a great offensive line and a bunch of talent at the skill positions.

Colorado State-bound George Miki-Han, BJ Tolo and San Diego State-bound Ross Maseuli give the Santa Ana power one of the best offensive lines in the state. A name to keep tabs on is freshman Leehanu Atuatasi after being named the 2024 MVP Lineman at the San Diego National Preps Showcase in February.

Former Edison (Stockton) standout Raleek Brown joins a loaded backfield that features Air Force-pledge Marceese Yetts and three-star Quincy Craig.

The Monarchs receiving corps is led by USC-bound Kyron Ware-Hudson, four-star junior CJ Williams and two-way standout Cooper Barkarte. Senior Josiah Zamora will be another impact player on offense. He had five touchdowns as a junior before suffering a season-ending injury in October.

Defensively, they stack up with anyone in the country.

Navy-bound Tyler Narayan was a preseason MaxPreps All-State first-team selection squad and he will lead the way in the trenches on the defensive line.

The linebacker depth rivals any team in the country.

USC-bound Raesjon Davis was one of the rare seniors rated in the Top 50 overall in the Class of 2021 that elected to come back and play this spring. He's joined by four-star junior David Bailey, three-star junior Tanner Salisbury, former JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) standout Malaki Teo, three-star junior Eoghan Kerry and sophomore Leviticus Su'a. Raesjon's younger brother Ramere Davis is also a name to keep tabs on as the freshman already has offers from Florida State, Maryland, Michigan and Oregon.

Even with Jaylin Davies leaving early for Oregon, the Monarchs secondary is loaded with talent led by five-star USC commit Domani Jackson. He is the top-rated prospect in the state for the Class of 2022 and third-rated overall. Three-star juniors Josh Hunter and Cameron Sidney give the Monarchs one of the top secondaries in California. Expect former Northeast (Philadelphia) standout Shoes Brinkley to make an impact on defense playing multiple positions.

With no postseason in California, the April 17 meeting between Mater Dei and Trinity League rival St. John Bosco is a game to circle on the calendar.

March 26 —vs. Orange Lutheran (Orange)