Mater Dei hosts Centennial in a matchup between two of the top teams in the state. TeamFB7 highlights some players to watch in the biggest game in Calfornia this week.
Mater Dei and Centennial have met 11 times in the last 12 years with six of those meetings occurring in the playoffs. Most recently, Centennial beat Mater Dei twice last season and eliminated the Monarchs from the playoffs with a blocked field goal as time expired.
Centennial is looking to be the first team to beat Mater Dei three consecutive times since Servite beat the Monarchs from 2009-2011. Mater Dei is 3-0 and experimenting with different personnel groups on offense. The Monarchs have been seemingly discounted as a championship contender this season, but a win over Centennial will put them right back into the conversation.
Breaking Down some Players to Watch in the game between Centennial and Mater Dei this Friday
Here are the players to keep an eye on in Santa Ana on Friday when Centennial and Mater Dei square off.
Centennial
Jaden Jefferson, QB
Centennial threw for 289 yards in the semifinal win over Mater Dei last season and its quarterback also ran for 2 touchdowns. Jaden Jefferson is coming off a rocky game where he ran for just 36 yards and threw an interception for a touchdown in a loss to Santa Margarita. Valor Christian of Colorado threw for 202 yards with 3 touchdowns against Mater Dei last week and Jefferson may be able to move the ball well against the Monarchs.
Malaki Davis, RB
Malaki Davis ran for 102 yards with 3 touchdowns in the first meeting between the two teams last season and ran for a touchdown in the semifinal game. He hasn’t scored a touchdown yet through two games this season but averaged 6.4 yards per carry in the opening game against Servite. Centennial could use a big game out of Davis to wear down Mater Dei’s front seven and open up the passing game.
Saik Fiataugalula, OL
Saik Fiataugalula is one of the better guards in the Southern Section along with teammate Xavier Baca. The two will need to create a push on the interior of Mater Dei’s defensive line to create some running lanes for Centennial’s running backs.
Miles Schirmer, DE
Miles Schirmer was the defender who blocked Mater Dei’s potential game-winning field goal in the semifinal game. The Cal commit had two sacks in the two games against the Monarchs last season and can put pressure on Mater Dei’s quarterbacks.
Brett Smith Jr., DB
Brett Smith Jr. had 11 tackles in the two games between Mater Dei and Centennial last season and is a ballhawk in the secondary. He can close passing windows quickly and possibly force a turnover this week.
Mater Dei
Russell Sekona, QB
Russell Sekona did not complete a pass for Mater Dei against Valor Christian last week, but led the Monarchs in rushing. Mater Dei played three quarterbacks, but Sekona is the best dual threat one of the group and makes the defense have to respect the run as well as the pass. Mater Dei threw for 194 yards with 2 touchdowns in the semifinal game last year and 261 yards in the first game. Cameron Pooley led the Monarchs in passing last week and will certainly play in this game as well.
Gavin Honore, WR
Mater Dei was lacking a top receiver entering training camp in August and got a big break when Gavin Honore transferred back to the Monarchs from Bishop Gorman. The Monarchs had some big passing plays in both games against Centennial last season and Honore is the best deep threat for Mater Dei and had 2 touchdown catches last week.
Asir Nembhard, RB
Centennial allowed 157 rushing yards with 2 touchdowns in its last game against Santa Margarita. Asir Nembhard had a huge game against Orem (Utah) two weeks ago and is a threat to break off a big run whenever he touches the ball. Mater Dei may have chances for big running plays from Nembhard and fellow sophomore running back Mark Allen.
Lex Mailangi, OL
Lex Mailangi may be the best interior offensive lineman in the state and is a three-year starter for the Monarchs. Santa Margarita’s offensive line played very well against Centennial two weeks ago and Mailangi may have a great game opening up running lanes.
Danny Lang, DB
Mater Dei faced a receiver at Valor Christian last week who is committed to Notre Dame in Jackson Coleman. The Monarchs often had Danny Lang trailing Coleman and covering him in man coverage. I expect Mater Dei to do something similar and have Lang covering future USC teammate Quentin Hale of Centennial.
DJ Clanton, LB
DJ Clanton had 7 tackles in the semifinal game against Centennial last season and led the team in tackles last week against Valor Christian. Centennial will try to establish the run with Davis and Jefferson and Clanton may have plenty of tackling opportunities.
