How to watch: MaxPreps Game of the Week sees No. 8 Bishop Gorman head to California in matchup against No. 13 Mater Dei

Gaels looking to end five-game skid vs. Monarchs in nationally-ranked rivalry battle.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
By
Sep 14, 2026, 10:00am
In a showdown between national powers, No. 13 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) will host No. 8 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) in the MaxPreps Game of the Week. The NFHS Network will stream all the action Friday at Santa Ana Stadium.

Mater Dei (4-0) is coming off a 10-9 win over then-No. 13 Centennial (Corona, Calif.) last week in which quarterback Russell Sekona rushed for the game-winning after sophomore Asir Nembhard set the table with a six-yard run.

The Mater Dei defense stifled the Huskies and forced three turnovers.

How to watch
Date/location: Friday, Sept. 18 | Santa Ana Bowl
Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT
Streaming: NFHS Network
Broadcast team: Jeff Kurtz, Zack Poff
Bishop Gorman (3-1) topped Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) in its last outing Sept. 5. The Gaels have played one of the toughest schedules in the nation this year and beat previous No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) in the season opener. The next week Bishop Gorman fell to Columbus (Miami, Fla.), No. 7 in this week's MaxPreps Top 25.

This will be the sixth time the national powers from neighboring states have met, all since 2017. Two of the last three matchups have come down to the final play, including last season's 27-24 win by the Monarchs.

In 2022, Mater Dei trailed 21-7 before roaring back for a 24-21 victory.

Future NFL players including Bryce Young, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Rome Odunze and Dorian Thompson-Robinson have played in this rivalry.

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

Bishop Gorman: QB Ace Amina (6-1, 185), RB Noah Cole (5-10, 205), WR Michael Blackmond (6-3, 190), CB Kamil Loud (6-1, 185), LB Tamatoa Gaoteote (6-1, 220)

Mater Dei: QB Cameron Pooley (6-3, 215), RB Asir Nembhard (5-9, 180), WR Gavin Honore (5-10, 180), DB Isaiah Danns (6-0, 165), LB Michael Davis (6-1, 220)

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