California high school football: Mater Dei starting freshman Elijah Brown at quarterback

Todd Marinovich, Matt Barkley and JT Daniels all started as freshman at quarterback for Bruce Rollinson and Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.).

Elijah Brown joins that exclusive list as the 6-foot-2, 178-pound 2024 quarterback will start for the Monarchs in Friday's season-opener against JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), according to Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times.

In addition to Barkley, Daniels and Marinovich other notable names to lead the Monarchs offense include Matt Leinart, Bryce Young, John Huarte, Colt Brennan and Max Wittek.

San Marcos transfer Emmett Brown is also expected to see time under center this year.

The three-star quarterback threw for over 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns during his sophomore season and already has offers from Colorado, Florida Atlantic, New Mexico and Old Dominion.

Either Brown will have a cadre of weapons as well as one of the best offensive lines in the state.

USC signee Kyron Ware-Hudson, four-star junior CJ Williams, three-star junior Cooper Barkarte and senior Josiah Zamora fill out one of the most talented wide receiving corps in the game.

The running back position is loaded with playmakers led by Air Force signee Marceese Yetts, five-star Oklahoma commit Raleek Brown and three-star junior Quincy Craig. Expect all three to be factors in the passing game.

Colorado State-bound George Miki-Han, sophomore BJ Tolo, San Diego State-bound Ross Maseuli lead the way on the offensive line. And when the offense is resting, the defense is as good as it gets with USC-bound Raesjon Davis, five-star USC commit Domani Jackson, three-star junior cornerback Josh Hunter and Navy-bound Tyler Narayan.

The Monarchs are playing a five-game schedule that features only Trinity League opponents.

The two biggest games are April 3 against a loaded Servite (Anaheim) squad which won its season opener 42-6 against Damien (La Verne). The Monarchs close out the spring against the 2019 MaxPreps National Champions St. John Bosco (Bellflower) on April 17 at Santa Ana Stadium. The Braves beat a very talented Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) team 42-21 in their season opener.