Look: Video highlights of Mater Dei's fourth CIF football state title, a 35-0 Open Division victory over Serra-San Mateo

Stanford-bound quarterback Elijah Brown throws four touchdowns and rugged defense allows just 58 yards in thorough victory at Saddleback College

SI Editorial | Dec 10, 2023

MISSION VIEJO, CALIFORNIA — Serra football coach said last week that Mater Dei's defense was the best he's ever seen on film.

What was his impressions in person after Mater Dei won its fourth CIF Open Division crown in four tries with a 35-0 victory Saturday night at Saddleback College?

"It's better," he said. "I've never seen an assemblance of talent like that — actually their entire team not just defense."

Mater Dei wins fourth California title in a breeze behind Stanford-bound Elijah Brown: Live update recap

With three weeks to prepare, the Padres (12-1) tried a little bit of everything at the Monarchs, with a series of trick formations and plays that led to a number of encroachment penalties — Mater Dei was flagged for 15 overall for 150 yards — but to very little offense.

In fact, in 39 plays Serra mustered only 58 yards, while Stanford-bound Elijah Brown threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers. The nation's No. 3 team finished 13-1 with perhaps it's most complete effort of the season.

Look: Mater Dei routs Serra to win California Open Division state football championship

"Obviously (Brown) was spectacular, throwing dimes all night," Walsh said. "They had crisp route runners. We couldn't get home, great pass protection. I think this team made their name on defense all year We dug into the 1900s bag of tricks to do anything to soften them up. We had some success, but that's an absolute monster on defense. It proved what we thought it would be."

See the exceptional video highlights compiled by Myckena Guerrero at the top of the page.