High School

Live score updates recap: Mater Dei defense anchors victory over Corona Centennial

No. 1 Mater Dei topped No. 2 Corona Centennial in a California high school football season opener Thursday night.

Tarek Fattal, SBLive Sports

Dash Beierly throws the ball for Mater Dei against Corona Centennial on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.
Dash Beierly throws the ball for Mater Dei against Corona Centennial on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. / Greg Stein

In a tilt between the No. 1 versus No. 2 teams in the CIF Southern Section, Mater Dei took advantage of the absence of Corona Centennial’s star quarterback Husan Longstreet, who did not play in the game due to a foot injury.

The No. 1-ranked Monarchs dominated the game defensively, forcing three turnovers and scoring a touchdown off a punt block to cruise to a 42-17 victory Thursday night at the Santa Ana Bowl.

Mater Dei QB Dash Beierly threw for 110 yards on 10 of 20 passing with two touchdowns. Oregon-bound running back Jordon Davison finished with 126 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown that came on a 44-yard scamper in the opening quarter.

Corona Centennial’s Malachi Roby was a bright spot, running for 81 yards on 14 carries. Dominick Catalano was 17 of 32 for 188 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for a score.

It was the coaching debut for Raul Lara, who was hired to replace Frank McManus at Mater Dei after just one season. Despite the short stint, Mater Dei did win the CIF-SS Division 1 and CIF State Open championships in 2023.

The Monarchs are expected to be the team to beat, yet again, and looked every part of it in their opener.

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

FINAL

Centennial

7

10

0

8

25

Mater Dei

15

7

10

10

42

LIVE UPDATES RECAP

(Refresh for the latest updates)

NEWS: Husan Longstreet OUT.

4TH QUARTER

FINAL: Mater Dei 42, Corona Centennial 25

CENTENNIAL TOUCHDOWN: Dominick Catalano connects with Noah Westbrook on a 13-yard pass. 42-25 (2pt GOOD) (3.7)

MATER DEI FIELD GOAL: Dominic Zante nails a 34-yard FG. 42-17 (2:26)

MATER DEI TOUCHDOWN: Trenton Dunn 9-yard score. 39-17. (5:54)

3RD QUARTER

END OF 3RD QUARTER: Mater Dei 32, Centennial 17

MATER DEI DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN: Shaun Scott blocks punt and Tomuhini Topui scoops and scores on a 7-yard TD. 32-17 (2:12)

MATER DEI FIELD GOAL: Dominic Zante nails a 23-yard FG. 25-17 (2:34)

HIGHLIGHT: Tavian McNair one-handed catch for Corona Centennial on a third down.

2ND QUARTER

HALFTIME: Mater Dei 22, Centennial 17

CENTENNIAL FG: Kenneth Junger makes a 37-yard FG.

CENTENNIAL TOUCHDOWN: Dominick Catalano connects with Cory Butler, Jr. on a 76-yard TD. 22-14, MD (6:01)

MATER DEI TOUCHDOWN: Dash Beierly to Chris Henry Jr. in the back corner of the end zone from the 4-yard line. 22-7, MD (7:20)

1ST QUARTER

END OF QUARTER: Mater Dei 15, Centennial 7

CENTENNIAL TOUCHDOWN: Dominick Catalano 1-yard TD caps off an 87-yard drive. 15-7, MD

MATER DEI TOUCHDOWN: Dash Beierly TD pass to Mark Bowman (7 yards). 15-0. (8:28)

CENTENNIAL FUMBLE: Mater Dei’s Tomuhini Topui forces fumble (sack). Nasir Wyatt recovers on Centennial 7-yard line.

MATER DEI TOUCHDOWN: Jordon Davison 44-yard TD run. 8-0 (2-point conversion GOOD). (8:40)

MATER DEI INTERCEPTION: Mater Dei’s Daryus Dixson picks off Corona Centennial QB Anthony Catalano.

Corona Centennial receives.

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Tarek Fattal, SBLive Sports

TAREK FATTAL, SBLIVE SPORTS

Tarek Fattal has been covering high school sports since 2015 in Southern California and primarily in Los Angeles, covering notable athletes such as Bronny James, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Alyssa Thompson. He was with the LA Daily News for eight years, which included being the beat reporter for the UCLA men's basketball team. Tarek can be seen on TV regularly on CBS/KCAL as a sports analyst with Jim Hill.

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