Mater Dei Falls to Centennial in Semifinal Showdown
In a pivotal CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinal, Mater Dei High School’s football team suffered a close defeat to Centennial High School, losing 28-27 on November 21, 2025. This marks the first time since 2016 that Mater Dei will miss out on a CIF championship game. The Monarchs ended their season with a record of 9-3.
Game Overview
Held at Centennial High, the match highlighted a back-and-forth battle with five lead changes. Mater Dei initially took the lead in the first quarter, but Centennial fought back, ultimately sealing the game in a nail-biting finish.
Key Players and Performances
- Mater Dei:
- Ryan Hopkins (Quarterback): Threw a 7-yard touchdown and completed a two-point conversion.
- Kennie Leggett (Running Back): Scored the Monarchs’ first touchdown with a 1-yard run.
- Chris Henry Jr. (Wide Receiver): Caught a crucial touchdown pass.
- Centennial:
- Dominick Catalano (Quarterback): Scored two rushing touchdowns and threw the game-winning pass.
- Keawe Browne (Wide Receiver): Caught a 24-yard touchdown pass in the final minutes.
Game Highlights
The game started positively for Mater Dei, who led 10-0 early on. However, Centennial responded with two touchdowns, taking a 14-10 lead by halftime. In the second half, a 43-yard touchdown pass from Hopkins to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt briefly gave Mater Dei a 16-14 advantage.
As the fourth quarter progressed, Centennial regained the lead at 21-16. Mater Dei fought back with another touchdown, giving them a temporary 27-21 lead. However, with 1:35 left in the game, Catalano connected with Browne, clinching the victory for Centennial.
Future Matchup
Centennial’s victory not only removes Mater Dei from title contention but also sets them up for the championship game against Santa Margarita on November 28, 2025, at the iconic Rose Bowl.
Historical Context
This defeat is particularly significant for Mater Dei, marking the first time they lost three games in a season since 2015. It is also the first time they have been defeated by the same team twice in one season since 2013. The Monarchs will look to regroup and refocus for the upcoming season after this disappointing conclusion.
