Santa Ana, California is poised for an exciting showdown as Mater Dei takes on De La Salle for the California Open Division championship this Saturday. The stakes are high for Mater Dei, who can secure its second consecutive national championship title, as determined by the High School Football America 300 rankings backed by NFL Play Football. This match marks the third meeting between the two powerhouse programs, with the previous two meetings resulting in victory for the Monarchs.
During their previous encounters, Mater Dei dominated the Spartans, winning 52-21 in 2017 and 35-21 in 2018, both crucial for their back-to-back national crowns. Mater Dei has been impressive in the Open Division, boasting a flawless 4-0 record. In contrast, De La Salle has faced tough luck, suffering four consecutive losses since their inaugural title win in 2015.
More teams are eyeing the national title if Mater Dei falters, including No. 2 Milton from Georgia, No. 4 Duncanville from Texas, and North Shore also from Texas. Milton is set to face off against No. 50 Langston Hughes for the Georgia 5A state championship next Tuesday, and they come into the game with a remarkable 24-game winning streak.
Duncanville aims for its third straight Texas Class 6A Division I title, facing No. 16 North Crowley this Saturday, while North Shore will meet No. 32 Westlake in their bracket. Additionally, Georgia’s Carrollton has risen to No. 8 as they prepare for a state championship against No. 33 Grayson.
In Florida, Venice moves up to No. 11 and will play No. 87 Lake Mary for the 7A state title. Other noteworthy Florida state title matchups include No. 14 Lakeland against No. 26 St. Thomas Aquinas and No. 24 American Heritage (Plantation) taking on No. 27 Jones (Orlando) for the 4A championship.
The excitement builds as high school football nears its climax, with teams across the nation gearing up for championship glory. As fans eagerly await these thrilling matchups, the focus remains on Mater Dei and their quest for another national title.
