Bellflower, CA
a highly anticipated Trinity League matchup took place on Halloween night. #12 Mater Dei Monarchs took on rival #1 St. John Bosco braves. The yearly rivalry always shows the best of the best, and tonight was no different for the players to shine. With a national title on the line, the braves looked to finished the season undefeated and get their get back after lasts year defeat to the monarchs.
its been a different journey for the monarchs this year, as the powerhouse team have been handed two losses this season prior to the final match of the trinity league season. with both losses being one possession short, the monarchs were facing a new type of adversity heading into the high school matchup of the week. all eyes were set on the monarchs big 3; Chris Henry jr, Kayden Dixon-wyatt, and mark bowman. the trio have d1 offers from Ohio state (Chris and Kayden) and usc (Mark Bowman). although the struggles have been up and down, the monarchs have always been able to rely on those three stars to change the momentum of the game.
the braves on the other hand, have been lights out on offense and defense. braves qb koa malau'ulu, wr madden williams, dj tubbs, and josh holland, have been the defenses worst nightmare. their dominance on both sides of the ball have been getting the braves to steamroll their opponents.
it was no argument that this matchup was going to be lights out, as the biggest rivalry in California always has their stars shining out at night. the anticipation was being built all week long, as "nfl rivalries" was this weeks promotion.
the yearly matchup between the two would have you feeling like you're watching the Super Bowl in high school. Both teams knew that they had something to lose... and something to gain.
The Monarchs were first to get on the board after starting the game with a 3 and out. It was only until 9 minutes into the first quarter when St. John Bosco Sophomore QB, Koa Malau'ulu, would throw a 78-yard bomb to Sophomore WR, DJ Tubbs and get their home crowd going. The lead would then balloon to 14 as Junior DB, Dillon Davis, would scoop and score for 6 after a fumble from the monarchs. The Braves would be up 24-10 at the half.
with the way that the braves have been stream rolling thru their entire schedule, it looked to have been the same for them heading into the half. a late touchdown by the braves was called back in the final seconds of the half that would've had them three possessions up. it was all bosco in the first half and they wanted to prove a point that their whole season wasn't just about blowing out anyone, they wanted to do the same to their rival who have been beating them the past few years.
the last time the two met in bellflower, it was a complete shutout by the braves who won 28-0 and shocked the nation with the way that mater dei was playing that year. They looked to do the same this year and finish the season undefeated.
it's not the first time the monarchs were down at half this season. ironically for a team who's used to being up, they were facing the same adversity as they did earlier in the season against corona centennial, who had a 33-0 lead at the half.
the Monarchs would rally up a comeback with the help of their star WR duos. Chris Henry Jr and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, changed the momentum late in the 3rd and eventually would take over the game after starting the game being down by 14 plus. Chris Henry Jr would have himself a night with 5 catches, 213 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
the momentum shifted to the monarchs and clinched the dub late in the game. the braves would try to make a last second comeback, but would fall short as ucla db commit, cj lavender, would snag an interception to seal the game and hand the braves their first loss of the season.
After being down 14 at the half, the monarchs found a way to make a comeback once again and come out with the victory on the road.
with the season coming to an end, another tough challenge is on the rise, as both teams will try to fight their way to the cif-ss championship match in hopes to bring the trophy back to their respective program.
Final Score: Mater Dei 36 - St John Bosco 31
for more pictures, head over to our photo gallery.
pictures taken by: Kennedy Velasco - @kennnchapo
All the stars shine bright in cali
video by: Logan Pactol - @_7ogan
