How to watch: MaxPreps Game of the Week heads to California as No. 14 Mater Dei hosts No. 13 Centennial

Monarchs looking for revenge after falling twice to the Huskies in 2025.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
By
Sep 7, 2026, 10:00am
In a showdown between national powers in Southern California, No. 14 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) will host No. 13 Centennial (Corona) in the MaxPreps Game of the Week. The NFHS Network will stream all the action at the Santa Ana Bowl on Friday.

Mater Dei (3-0) has put up at least 30 points in all three games and are coming off a 38-22 victory over Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.). The Monarchs have won three national titles with the most recent coming in 2024.

Sophomore Asir Nembhard leads the Monarchs with six touchdowns under head coach Raul Lara, who is in his third year at Mater Dei.

How to watch
Date/location: Friday, Sept. 11 | Santa Ana Bowl
Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT
Streaming: NFHS Network
Broadcast team: Jeff Kurtz, Zack Poff
Centennial (1-1) is looking to bounce back from a 21-20 loss to No. 4 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) after opening the season with a 41-21 victory against Servite (Anaheim).

Hawaii quarterback commit Jaden Jefferson has connected with USC pledge Quentin Hale for three touchdowns in Centennial's two games.

Centennial beat Mater Dei twice in 2025, including a November victory that ended the Monarchs' season. Prior to that, Mater Dei had won seven in a row in the series.

The MaxPreps Game of the Week showcases the nation's premier high school football matchups while highlighting the players, coaches and communities that make high school sports special. Fans can follow comprehensive coverage before, during and after the game at MaxPreps.com, including live updates, highlights, photo galleries, statistics and postgame analysis. Additional content will be distributed across MaxPreps social media platforms throughout the week.

Players to watch

Centennial: QB Jaden Jefferson (5-10, 175), RB Malaki Davis (6-1, 220), WR Quentin Hale (6-3, 195), DB Dean Gibson (5-10, 190), LB Matt Salmeron (5-11, 205)

Mater Dei: QB Cameron Pooley (6-3, 215), RB Asir Nembhard (5-9, 180), WR Jaylen Grier (6-1, 175), DB Isaiah Danns (6-0, 165), LB Dailon Clanton (6-1, 210)

Related Content