California Division IDefending champion: Mater Dei (Santa Ana)2011-12 contenders: Loyola (Los Angeles), Mater Dei
The chase: Nearly 250 schools compete for California's Division I state title, but only a small percentage have what it takes to run the gauntlet. Since the divisional format was introduced in 1981, just 12 different programs have been able to finish on top.
Crenshaw (Los Angeles),
De La Salle (Concord),
Fairfax (Los Angeles), Mater Dei,
St. Joseph Notre Dame (Alameda) and
Westchester (Los Angeles) have combined to win 24 championships, including 14 by Crenshaw and Westchester alone. Mater Dei also won three state titles at the Division II level.
The postseason format in California adds to the challenge. Mater Dei – a heavy favorite to repeat this season – played nine games in six different venues over 30 days to cap a 32-3 campaign a year ago. Three of those contests came against teams that appeared in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 during that span.
Mater Dei is the favorite once again in California's Division I ranks.
Photo by Todd Shurtleff
