From 90 to 20, Dorian Hale controls the key numbers for De La Salle

Video: De La Salle vs. Mater Dei preview
MaxPreps football editor Zack Poff and host Myckena Guerrero break down the game.

All the teen numbers were taken heading into the 2018 on the De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) football team, so sophomore quarterback Dorian Hale was stuck with No. 20.

"We have a lot of seniors who wanted those numbers," De La Salle coach Just Alumbaugh said. "They got first dibs. Beats number 90."

Last season as a freshman, Hale was called up to the postseason and sported the big 9-0. It looked a little comical or possibly a tribute to Julius Peppers or Jevon Kearse.

But there was Hale, playing in the second quarter of the CIF Open Division football game against Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) last season at Sacramento State. Down 21-0 at the end of the first quarter en route to a 52-21 loss, and trailing 152-3 in total yards, it must have looked like De La Salle was waving the white flag.

Actually, Hale was probably then the best quarterback in the De La Salle program.

If they didn't know then, the Monarchs certainly know that now. 

He's a legitimate dual threat heading into the rematch between the storied national programs in Saturday's 8 p.m. CIF Open Division Bowl Championship at Cerritos College.

"They probably saw this skinny kid with a big number and wondered, ‘What the heck?," De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh said. "He's still skinny, but he's definitely someone they have to account for."

If an elite defense isn't the biggest reason the Spartans can turn around a 31-point loss to Mater Dei, then it is definitely Hale, who will force the Monarchs to at least play less bunched up. 

Like every defense the Spartans faced last year, Mater Dei stacked eight or nine in the box and dared De La Salle to pass.

With the 6-foot, 180-pound Hale, who did complete 4-of-6 passes last season against the Monarchs, posing a passing threat, not only are the Spartans a bigger aerial threat, but their running game is more potent, also. Last year in 12 games, the Spartans threw for 1,121 yards, 17.2 yards per reception and six touchdowns.

Through 12 games this season, Hale has completed 59 of 100 for 1,280 yards (21.7 yards per completion) with 13 touchdowns. He's also rushed for 278 yards and eight touchdowns. In a 42-7 North Coast Section Open Division title win over Liberty-Brentwood on Saturday, he accounted for 148 yards and three scores.

The quarterback spot, a liability the last couple years for the Spartans, has emerged a strength with Hale in charge. Beyond quick feet, explosive speed and a strong, accurate left arm, Hale has emerged a natural leader due to his work ethic and good nature.

"He's a very likeable kid," Alumbaugh said. "He likes to smile. He likes to work hard. He never misses a workout. He's never late. He loves football and it shows."

It wasn't easy as a sophomore to be play a position that demands so much attention and responsibility. But teammates immediately gravitated to Hale and as he's improved, his confidence grew.

"He's improved across the board," Alumbaugh said. "He's grown physically, he's a more powerful runner and a more accurate passer. He throws to spots now."

A big part of his maturation and improvement is due to senior backup quarterback Andrew Jones, who was a part-time starter in 2017. Jones (6-3, 180) has also improved — "I honestly think he can play college football," Alumbaugh said — but his attitude and mentorship has been even more impressive. "He's shown great maturity and selflessness," Alumbaugh said. "Those two are always sitting next to one another. There's a lot of respect between them. I'm just as proud of Jones as I am of Dorian."

It's also helped to have a couple of big-time targets, one in 4-star tight end and defensive end Isaiah Foskey and junior wide receiver Grant Daley (18 catches, 645 yards, 35.8 average, 6 TDs). 

Those guys will be going against what some consider the best secondary in the country, led by junior Elias Ricks, the No. 1 rated junior cornerback in the country, according to 247Sports.

That said, Ricks and other Monarchs might not be playing.

Longtime Los Angeles Times prep writer Eric Sondheimer reported on Twitter Wednesday that "several (Mater Dei) players could be suspended" for Saturday's game following an incident in the MD locker room after its Southern Section Division 1 victory over St. John Bosco.

Calls to Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson were not been immediately returned.

Alumbaugh heard more detailed reports on Monday, but wasn't sharing either with the media or his own team. The Spartans are scheduled to charter a bus Friday morning for Southern California. Snow flurries on the Grapevine might force them to take Highway 101.

"Those reports aren't even a blip on our radar," Alumbaugh said. "We got to get 70 teen-agers down there safe and prepared for the No. 1 team in the country. We have enough on our plate. We don't need to worry about what Mater Dei is doing."