Santa Ana, California – High school football in Southern California faced some tough challenges this week as extreme heat impacted scheduling. With temperatures soaring as high as 113 degrees on Friday, some games were either delayed or rescheduled. Fortunately, the anticipated matchup between No. 1 Mater Dei (1-0) and No. 2 Bishop Gorman (2-0) at the Santa Ana Bowl was set to kick off at 7 p.m. with a forecasted temperature of just 83º at that time. This exciting clash, which will be broadcast live on the NFHS Network and Bally Sports, features 38 college prospects rated 3-stars or higher.
Bishop Gorman came into the contest riding an impressive 27-game winning streak, with their last defeat occurring in 2021 against Mater Dei in a close 24-21 game. Although it’s early in the 2024 season, this game carries weight in the push for a potential national championship in December.
As the game unfolded, it was Mater Dei that made a strong statement with a convincing 31-15 victory over Bishop Gorman. The fourth quarter saw Bishop Gorman scoring a late touchdown, with QB Maika Eugenio connecting with WR Brandon Gaea on a 5-yard pass.
Earlier, Mater Dei’s Trenton Dunn had stretched their lead with an 11-yard touchdown run, and earlier in the game, Dominic Zante added a 26-yard field goal, contributing to their authoritative win. Although the game wasn’t free from setbacks, including an injury to 5-star talent Chris Henry Jr., Mater Dei dominated overall. This result solidified their status as one of the top high school football teams in the nation, signaling a potentially successful season ahead.
