BREAKING: In a stunning turn of events, Mater Dei overcame a staggering 21-point deficit to defeat St. John Bosco 36-31 on October 27, 2023, in Bellflower. The victory not only marks a thrilling upset but also secures a share of the Trinity League title for Mater Dei, solidifying their status in high school football.
Trailing 24-3 in the first half, all hope seemed lost for Mater Dei until star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. ignited the comeback with two touchdowns and an impressive 214 yards on just five receptions. “He could be a track star,” said Mater Dei coach Raul Lara, highlighting Henry’s 70-yard touchdown catch that shifted the momentum before halftime.
As the game progressed, the dynamic duo of Henry and fellow Ohio State commit Kayden Dixon-Wyatt took control. Dixon-Wyatt scored three touchdowns in the second half, leaving St. John Bosco’s defense scrambling. “I wish I could be the quarterback,” Lara joked, reflecting on the electric performance of his senior wide receivers.
Mater Dei, now 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the league, capped the game with a staggering 33-7 run. Quarterback Ryan Hopkins was a key player, completing 13 of 21 passes for 295 yards and five touchdowns during the comeback.
With this victory, questions surrounding Mater Dei’s regular-season performance have been laid to rest. They now share the Trinity League championship with Santa Margarita, who defeated JSerra 41-14 the same night, and St. John Bosco, who finishes the regular season 9-1.
The second half was marked by crucial defensive plays. Mater Dei defensive back CJ Lavender Jr. not only forced and recovered a fumble in the first quarter, setting up the Monarchs’ first points with a field goal, but also intercepted St. John Bosco sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu twice more. One interception led to a quick touchdown by Dixon-Wyatt.
“Anything he threw, I was going to go get it,” said Lavender, who now leads the team with seven interceptions this season.
As the game wound down, St. John Bosco threatened to score but was thwarted by a bad snap and subsequent penalties that pushed them back to the 10-yard line, ultimately leading to Lavender’s final interception with just 1:34 remaining.
Henry, who had been sidelined since October 10 due to an injury, expressed his eagerness to return for this pivotal matchup. “It was really difficult,” he said. “But I was ready for a game like this.” With the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs starting next week, Henry and his teammates are poised for more high-stakes action.
The upcoming playoffs will likely see Mater Dei face off against tough competitors, including Sierra Canyon (10-0), who concluded their Mission League winning campaign with a commanding 52-3 victory over Loyola.
As the dust settles on this electrifying game, Mater Dei’s remarkable comeback will be one for the history books, showcasing resilience, talent, and the thrill of high school football. Stay tuned for updates as the playoffs approach!