Monarchs outlast Huskies to reach CIF-SS Division 1 final
CORONA >> Mater Dei used its running game and defense to defeat host Centennial Corona 21-16 in a physical CIF Division 1 semifinal Friday and return to the championship game for the fifth consecutive postseason.
The Monarchs (10-0), ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps, received two rushing scores from Raleek Brown and one from Quincy Craig. The duo of Brown and Ajon Bryant also ran out the final 2 minutes and 2 seconds of the fourth quarter to seal the victory against the Huskies (11-1), ranked 13th in the nation.
The Oklahoma-committed Brown finished with 164 yards on 29 carries but Mater Dei’s defense also played a starring role with fourth-and-goal stands late in the first half and in the third quarter.
Senior defensive end David Bailey led the Monarchs’ with two sacks, including one that produced a fumble.
Centennial’s defense, led by linebacker Jesse Schumacher with a sack and interception, held Mater Dei quarterback Elijah Brown to 130 yards passing.
In the finals, Mater Dei will play the winner of the Servite-St. John Bosco semifinal on Friday at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.
One of the prime matchups entering the clash was Centennial’s
offense, averaging almost 59 points, against a Mater Dei attack averaging just over 50 points. But the defenses and special teams had other ideas.
Mater Dei’s defense provided an early spark, forcing Centennial to turn the ball over on downs at the Monarchs 35-yard line on the opening possession. The Trinity League champion capitalized by driving for a 1-yard TD run by Craig to take a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Centennial responded on the ensuing possession to knot the score at 7-7. After Nathan Jimenez returned the kickoff 63 yards to the Mater Dei 37, QB Carson Conklin tossed a 13-yard TD pass to the speedy Jimenez with 1:19 left in the first quarter.
The Huskies’ special teams delivered again early in the second quarter as an errant snap on a Mater Dei punt sailed into the end zone for a safety and a 9-7 lead for Centennial.
Mater Dei regained the lead with an 82-yard scoring drive capped by a 16-yard TD run by Raleek Brown, who leaped into the end zone with 4:28 left in the half. The Monarchs led 14-9.
In the third quarter, Mater Dei’s defense then produced a turnover as Bailey forced a fumble on a sack that the Monarchs recovered at their 36. On the next play, Elijah Brown tossed a 51-yard pass to Samari Staten, setting up a 13yard TD run by Raleek Brown and a 20-9 lead late in the third.