Stadium lights had been flashing on and off Friday evening after the newest Corona Centennial landing towards No. 1-ranked Mater Dei within the first half of a 43-36 Huskies victory, and followers couldn’t consider what they had been seeing. One overjoyed Husky fan shouted, “Mater Dei who?”
It was Centennial 28-0 after the primary quarter and 33-7 at halftime. Defensive finish Jonathan McKinley of Centennial was making a bunch of college-bound offensive linemen look confused and ineffective with two sacks and a strain rush on quarterback Ryan Hopkins that produced a decide six by Jaden Stroll-Inexperienced.
Then got here the strangest 12-minute third quarter — Mater Dei dominated with a 29-0 outburst to take a 36-33 lead. As if the sport couldn’t get wilder, the fourth quarter noticed Centennial rally to complete a historic victory.
It was the primary time Mater Dei has been crushed by a Southern Part staff apart from St. John Bosco since Centennial did it 10 years in the past en path to a Division 1 championship. Guess who had been stars on that staff —quarterback Anthony Catalano and receiver Javon McKinley. On Friday evening, it was their youthful brothers main the best way.
McKinley had three sacks and recovered a fumble. Dominick Catalano, enjoying quarterback like large bro, displayed toughness and management all through.
“This was for him,” McKinley mentioned of his brother watching from the bleachers. “From the spring, I’ve been working towards each evening for this sport. I’ve had goals about this sport.”
It was the primary loss for coach Raul Lara since he took over as Mater Dei head coach final season. He got here in 16-0.
Mater Dei misplaced two fumbles, had an interception and one other fumble resulted in a Centennial security, all within the first half. Mater Dei completed with 5 fumbles and two interceptions.
Corona Centennial quarterback Dominick Catalano flies by means of the air carrying the soccer towards Mater Dei.
(Craig Weston)
“It’s superior,” Dominick Catalano mentioned. “It’s an unimaginable feeling.”
It was victory No. 298 for future Corridor of Fame coach Matt Logan, who mentioned, “I had a dream we had been up 21-0 and I wakened and was so excited.”
Mater Dei caught fireplace within the third quarter. A one-yard landing run by Justin Lewis was adopted by a 42-yard landing run by Hopkins and a 76-yard landing reception by Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. When Kennie Leggett scored on a one-yard run, Mater Dei’s comeback was full for a 33-30 lead.
However Stroll-Inexperienced, who returned a decide six within the first quarter, made his second area objective of the evening from 36 yards to tie the rating. Then Mater Dei’s fifth fumble gave the Huskies the ball on the Mater Dei 31. Quickly Centennial confronted a fourth-and-10 from the 31. Catalano linked with Keawe Browne for a 12-yard cross. That saved the drive alive and enabled Malaki Davis to attain on a four-yard run to take the lead with 2:27 left.
“This proves how good we’re,” Browne mentioned. “We performed our hearts out. I did all my coaching within the offseason. I used to be expecting my second.”
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt of Mater Dei leaps attempting to catch cross, however Jaden Stroll-Inexperienced got here down with the game-clinching interception for Corona Centennial.
(Craig Weston)
Centennial (3-1) clinched the win with Stroll-Inexperienced’s second interception, taking the ball away from Dixon-Wyatt as the 2 got here down with each holding onto the ball. The officers dominated in favor of Stroll-Inexperienced. So started a Centennial celebration repeated from 10 years in the past when one other Catalano led the Huskies to victory.
“It’s a Catalano factor,” Dominick mentioned.
Mater Dei (3-1) acquired 248 yards passing from Hopkins, however the repeated errors, from fumbles to personal-foul penalties, left the Monarchs hardly wanting just like the No 1 staff in California and dealing with a brand new problem subsequent week with a journey to Las Vegas to face Bishop Gorman.
It’s solely the fourth week of the season, however Centennial’s victory adjustments the equation in Southern California highschool soccer much like when Servite knocked off St. John Bosco within the Division 1 playoffs in 2021. It’s been Mater Dei and St. John Bosco on a nine-year run successful championships. The Huskies put a little bit little bit of uncertainty for 2025.
