The high school football season in California came to a close on Saturday.
Mater Dei (Santa Ana) was among the victors with an emphatic 44-7 win over Serra (San Mateo) at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo for the Open Division Bowl championship.
The Monarchs not only finished 12-0 with a point differential of 548-152 but also will likely be officially named the MaxPreps National Champions for its No. 1 ranking in the MaxPreps Top 25.
They finished it off impressively in the state title game as USC-signee
Raleek Brown rushed for three touchdowns and top sophomore quarterback
Elijah Brown threw for 243 yards and accounted for two more scores. His 78-yard bomb to
Cooper Barkate
on the team's second play from scrimmage set this game in final resume for the Monarchs in motion.
There was more impressive play of course, especially on the defensive side.
Malaki Te'o had a 21-yard pick six,
Tanner Williams forced a fumble that was recovered by
Joshua Hunter, and quickly turned into a Raleek Brown 1-yard TD run. Cornerback
Cameron Sidney made spectacular back-to-back open field tackles at the end of the half to keep Serra out of the end zone. Junior linebacker
Leviticus Su'a led all defenders with 10 tackles and Hunter added seven.
Afterward, Serra coach Patrick Walsh articulated what all who watched the Monarchs play all season thought: "The have the best combination of everything. They care.
They play hard. They are uniquely talented. And they are well coached.
When that all comes together, you're the No. 1 team in the country."
If also the national champions, it would be the fifth overall for coach Bruce Rollinson, who improved his record at Mater Dei to 329-86-2 over 33 seasons.
Read on for a complete look at the final California MaxPreps Top 25.
2021 CIF STATE CHAMPIONS
FINAL CALIFORNIA MAXPREPS TOP 25
