Though the Crusaders (13-0) busted off one big offensive play after another early, it was a 88-yard interception return by sophomore
Isaiah Buxton late in the first quarter that largely made the difference.
Otherwise, the San Diego Section Division III champion got huge results in short dosages from
Nico Mosley who rushed nine times for 47 yards and three touchdowns, and quarterback
Dominic Nankil (13-for-22, 297 yards, one touchdowns) and receivers
Jerry McClure (five catches, 103 yards) and
Cruz Estrada (two, 109) to win their first state title.
The Crusaders often do get confused with Mater Dei (Santa Ana), the nation's No. 1 team that will finish of the five-game schedule at Saddleback on Saturday.
On Friday, there was no confusing their excellence. They committed just four penalties and one turnover while averaging 8.8 yards per play.
Mater Dei Catholic defensive end Jason Harden (8) with a sack of Tyler Wentworth.
Photo by Louis Lopez
"Phenomenal group," Mater Dei Catholic coach John Joyner. "They've been fantastic, one of my favorite groups. They deserve everything they get."
They upended the four-time state champion Raiders (13-2) who dominated the ball (33 minutes, 17 seconds to 14:43 for Mater Dei Catholic) and huge rushing games by
Aiden Taylor (18 carries, 194 yards) and
Julian Lopez (23, 112) but never could overcome an early deficit. Taylor and Lopez each rushed for two touchdowns.
Central actually held a 382-364 edge in yards, but two interceptions and a fumbled punt snap led to 21 points and essentially the game. The Raiders could never catch up from a 27-7 deficit early in the second quarter though they battled throughout.
"They're really good," Joyner of
Central Catholic. "Physical, grind it out, and they're enormous, well
coached and disciplined. We knew it'd be a great challenge."
Jerry McClure (1) had five catches for 103 yards for Mater Dei Catholic.
Photo by Louis Lopez
Mater Dei Catholic took just four plays to go 80 yards on the opening drive to go up 7-0 on a 4-yard run by Mosely.
Central answered right back with a five-play, 60-yard drive finished off with a Taylor 6-yard TD run.
When Moseley scored an 18-yard run to cap a four-play, 79-yard drive, the game was only 3:35 old and 217 yards and 20 points had been put on the board. This clearly was a shootout.
Central look liked it would come down and take the lead, driving deep into Mater Dei Catholic territory, but Buxton stepped in front of a receiver, and zig-zagged down the field for his 88-yard TD score, to make it 20-7 with 3:47 left in the first quarter.
"I stepped in front of the guy," Buxton said. "Once I got it, I tried to find a hole and just ran it all the way."
Joyner said of Buxton: "He's a star. He is an absolute star. The minute he's been on campus,
he's been amazing. His parents are both in the Navy. He does the, 'yes
sir, no sir.' He does everything the right way."
When Mankil connected on a 33-yard pass to
Surahz Buncom early in the second quarter, Mater Dei Catholic was up 27-7 and a rout appeared on. But the Raiders kept battling and when Taylor busted off a 71-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-1 (Central Catholic went for it eight times on fourth down), making it 27-19 with 9:36 left in the third.
Central Catholic running back Aiden Taylor (44) rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns but was injured early in the third quarter and never returned.
Photo by Louis Lopez
But a bad punt snap, led to a short run and a short field for Mater Dei Catholic, which converted on a 2-yard TD run by Mosley with 1:18 left in the third to go back in control, 34-19.
Central Catholic Roger Canepa was disappointed with the finish but proud of his team's grit. It didn't help that Taylor went out with an eye injury early in the third quarter. Canepa wasn't making excuses.
The Raiders are now 4-2 in state championship games.
"It's hard to get here," he said. "It's hard to win these.
You appreciate every championship and chance you get. That's a great
football team we played."
Mater Dei Catholic players and coaches pose after winning their first state championship.
Photo by Louis Lopez
Central Catholic defensive end Jason Harden (8) with a big stick on Aiden Taylor.
Photo by Louis Lopez
Central Catholic's Julian Lopez (4) rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
Photo by Louis Lopez
