High school football: Mater Dei to face St. Frances Academy on Sept. 22 in one of season's top games

California vs. Maryland showdown will have huge impact on the MaxPreps Top 25 next fall.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
By
Apr 26, 2023, 8:45am
One of the biggest high school football games was announced earlier today as Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) will travel to Maryland to face St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) on Sept. 22 after Prep Gridiron Logistics was able to get the game set up. The game is reportedly going to be on the ESPN family of networks. This will be the second-meeting between the two programs as Bryce Young led the Monarchs to a 34-18 win in 2019.

The Panthers will again have one of the toughest football schedules of all-time in 2023.

The Baltimore power has notable games lined up, among them:
• Aug. 18 at Buford (Ga.)
• Sept. 2 at East St. Louis (Ill.)
• Sept. 22 vs. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
St. Frances Academy quarterback Michael Van Buren leads the Panthers into a 2023 season that's among the toughest in recent memory. They just announced they'll host Mater Dei in addition to previously announced games with MaxPreps National Champion St. John Bosco and IMG Academy. (Photo: Artie Walker)
St. Frances Academy quarterback Michael Van Buren leads the Panthers into a 2023 season that's among the toughest in recent memory. They just announced they'll host Mater Dei in addition to previously announced games with MaxPreps National Champion St. John Bosco and IMG Academy. (Photo: Artie Walker)
Mater Dei's non-league schedule is now set and includes Bingham (South Jordan, Utah), Centennial (Corona, Calif.), Creekside (Fairburn, Ga.) and Kahuku (Hawaii).


Both teams will be in contention to begin the 2023 season as the No. 1 team in our preseason MaxPreps Top 25 later this summer.

The Monarchs return a lot talent under first-year coach Frank McManus, led by four-star quarterback Elijah Brown. He has gone 29-1 as the starter playing against the best competition in the country. Brandon Baker and DeAndre Carter will headline one of the best offensive lines. Jordon Davison, Nathaniel Frazier and Ajon Bryant give them a triple-threat in the backfield while Marcus Harris and Jack Ressler lead the way for a very talented receiving corps.

Mater Dei has 10 starters back on defense led by five-star edge rusher Nasir Wyatt and four-star cornerback Zabien Brown.

St. Frances Academy is led by four-star quarterback Michael Van Buren. They are deep at every position and stack up with anyone in the country when it comes to talent. Some notable players include Tank Carrington, Simeon Coleman, Edrees Farooq, Ify Obidegwu, DeJuan Williams, Trent Wilson and Blake Woodby.

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