Mater Dei’s top-ranked football team did its part Friday night to set up a national showdown next week in the Trinity League.
Junior quarterback Bryce Young completed 11 of 14 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns in the first half to lead the Monarchs to a 49-7 victory against visiting Santa Margarita at Santa Ana Stadium.
Bru McCoy and Mike Martinez each caught two touchdowns and Shakobe Harper rushed for two scores as Mater Dei (6-1 overall including a forfeit, 2-0 league) raced toward its clash next week against St. John Bosco (7-0, 2-0).
The Braves defeated Orange Lutheran 63-28 on Friday behind three kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Mater Dei, ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps, plays host to No. 2 St. John Bosco on Oct. 12 at Santa Ana Stadium.
Next Friday’s O.C. football schedule looks great: @MDFootball v @bosco / @CDMFOOTBALL v @LosAlFootball / @capofootball v @Tritonfootball among the games @ocvarsity @SteveFryer
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) October 6, 2018
Cornerback Elias Ricks helped lead Mater Dei’s defense against Santa Margarita (2-5, 0-2) by limiting wide receiver Chase Nenad.
One of McCoy’s touchdown receptions covered 70 yards.
In other games Friday:
In the Empire League:
No. 19 Valencia 27, Tustin 7: Nathan Sandoval rushed for 187 yards on 24 carries to lead the host Tigers (6-1, 2-0), who outscored the Tillers (2-6, 1-1) 20-0 in the second half.
Cypress 20, Kennedy 0: Isaac Hurtado rushed for more than 100 yards and scored once at Western to help the Centurions (3-4, 1-1) even their record in league.
In the Freeway League:
Troy 49, Buena Park 39: Sophomore running back Lukas Mucino rushed four touchdowns and quarterback Jonathan Rochester passed for 305 yards to lead the visiting Warriors (3-4, 2-0).
In the South Coast League:
No. 11 San Clemente 63, No. 14 El Toro 13: JJ Jenkins caught two touchdowns and Preston Rex returned a punt for a score to help the host Tritons (4-4, 2-0) keep pace with Mission Viejo in league.
In the Sunset League:
No. 8 Corona del Mar 49, Fountain Valley 21: Junior quarterback Ethan Garbers threw for a reported 472 yards and six touchdowns while junior John Humphreys racked up 273 yards receiving to leads the Sea Kings (6-1, 2-0) to a sixth consecutive victory at Newport Harbor.
In nonleague:
Western 72, Artesia 31: Anthony Munoz passed for 366 yards and six TDs to lead the visiting Pioneers (6-1). Twin brothers Caine and Cassius combined for five touchdown catches.