Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) vs. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)What to watch: A huge test for No. 23 Mater Dei as it opens the season against a Centennial squad that could have one of Southern California's top rushing attacks. The Huskies return only four offensive starters, but three of them are offensive linemen. The trio will pave the way for 5-6, 165-pound junior running back
J.J. Taylor, whom coach Matt Logan calls a "Barry Sanders type." Mater Dei returns seven offensive starters and six on defense but is breaking in a new quarterback in senior Jack Lowary. The 6-4, 210-pound senior will have a sure-handed target to rely upon in senior tight end
Kyle Penniston, a Wisconsin commit.
Sign up to be the one who provides Qwixcore live scoring updates from this gameJust the facts: Saturday will be the first meeting between the teams in four years. Centennial owned a 3-2 edge in a series between the teams played from 2007-2011. … According to CalPreps.com, Centennial is tied with Folsom for the second-most wins (53) in California since 2010 (not counting forfeits). De La Salle (Concord) ranks first with 56 victories.
Mitch Stephens: Mater Dei 48, Centennial 42
Kevin Askeland: Mater Dei 52, Centennial 50
Jamie DeMoney: Centennial 31, Mater Dei 28
Stephen Spiewak: Mater Dei 35, Centennial 28
Leland Gordon: Mater Dei 42, Centennial 36
Colin Ward-Henninger: Centennial 35, Mater Dei 28
