5 takeaways from Mater Dei's win over Bishop Gorman

Can anyone beat Mater Dei? The No. 2-ranked team in the country wasn't even close. Here are key takeaways from the Monarchs' dominating win over the Gaels.

Mater Dei's Trenton Dunn powers into the end zone against Bishop Gorman on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at the Santa Ana Bowl. / Heston Quan

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA - Mater Dei had just finished their traditional hut drill in front of its home crowd after beating Bishop Gorman 31-15 Friday night on national television.

There was a spattering of reporters, recruiting analysts and pundits alike on the field talking shop about what had just transpired. The theme: dominance by the Monarchs, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

• Mater Dei snaps Bishop Gorman's 27-game winning streak
• Mater Dei vs. Bishop Gorman photos

Some even said the game was boring. There were no big plays. No fireworks, really. Mater Dei's defense sacked Bishop Gorman six times, intercepted the Gaels once, and held the No. 2-ranked team in the country to less than 200 total yards and 11 first downs.

If there's one thing most didn't expect from the much-anticipated game, it was a lopsided outcome. Mater Dei led 31-7 before Gorman scored a moot touchdown with a minute remaining.

Here are five takeaways from the game.

FIVE TAKEAWAYS

1. Can anyone beat Mater Dei?

Mater Dei football players gesture during a game against Bishop Gorman on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. / Heston Quan

That's the initial question most were asking themselves after the Monarchs rolled Bishop Gorman. The Gaels had a hard time moving the ball against Mater Dei's defense. Alabama commit Abduall Sanders had two sacks. Oregon-bound edge rusher Nasir Wyatt was in the backfield all night and had a sack.

Mater Dei has only lost eight times since 2015. Six of those losses have come at the hands of St. John Bosco. The last team to beat the Monarchs not named St. John Bosco was JSerra and Corona Centennial, in 2015. Since 2016, Mater Dei's six losses have all come to the Braves.

Mater Dei and St. John Bosco is set for October 25 in Santa Ana.

2. 5-star WR Derek Meadows shut down

Mater Dei defense swarms the Bishop Gorman ball carrier on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. / Heston Quan

Bishop Gorman's top player is 5-star recruit Derek Meadows, a wide receiver committed to LSU. He was held to just one catch for nine yards.

Mater Dei defensive backs Chuck McDonald, an Alabama commit, and Daryus Dixson, Penn State commit, were elite in covering Meadows.

Of course, pressure from the Mater Dei defensive front helped, but Meadows wasn't even able to create separation on short, quick routes underneath.

3. Tomuhini Topui emerging as nation's top disruptor

Mater Dei junior defensive lineman Tomuhini Topui celebrates a big play against Bishop Gorman on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. / Heston Quan

The key to Mater Dei's defensive attack is the big fella up front in Tomuhini Topui, a 6-foot-3, 320-pound junior with offers to USC, Texas, Oregon, Michigan, Auburn, Arizona and Florida.

In his first two games, Topui has commanded a double team from opposing offensive lines. Despite the focus to stop him, Topui is constantly in the backfield disrupting. He had a sack on Friday night against Gorman and helped to keep the Gaels to less than 90 yards rushing.

4. Chris Henry Jr. injured

Mater Dei junior Chris Henry Jr. is helped off the field against Bishop Gorman after suffering from a leg injury on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. / Heston Quan

Mater Dei's 5-star recruit, Chris Henry Jr., a 2026 commit to Ohio State was helped off the field late in the third quarter after getting tangled up with a Bishop Gorman corner after the whistle.

Henry was later seen walking on his own power - with a slight limp - after the game and is expected to be back on the field in the next week or two.

The awkward takedown resulted in a hyperextension of his knee, according sources.

Not a good sign for Mater Dei.

5-star recruit Chris Henry Jr. needs help off the field after getting tangled up with Gorman DB after the whistle. pic.twitter.com/cYcZOXzG3l

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) September 7, 2024

5. Mater Dei needs to clean up the penalties

Mater Dei defeated Bishop Gorman 31-15 on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at the Santa Ana Bowl in Santa Ana, Calif. / Heston Quan

If there's a weakness in Mater Dei's game, it's the on-field discipline. The Monarchs tallied more than 100 yards in penalties in Friday night's victory.

Nasir Wyatt is good for one or two personal foul penalties a game due to late hits on the opposing QB or unnecessary roughness.

"I tell the guys that nobody can play with us if we clean that up," Mater Dei coach Raul Lara said.

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