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    Mater Dei football shows its strength in rout of JSerra
    • October 7, 2023

    SANTA ANA — When you have as many offensive weapons as Mater Dei puts on the field, it makes sense to spread the ball around.

    Mater Dei quarterback Elijah Brown did just that on Friday night, throwing touchdown passes to four different receivers in a 42-0 win against JSerra in a Trinity League game at Santa Ana Stadium.

    Mater Dei wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (13) runs the gauntlet on his way to score a touchdown on a pass play against JSetta in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    JSerra quarterback Michael Tollefson, left, is brought down by Mater Dei linebacker Tanner Williams on a quarterback keeper in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei wide receiver Jonah Smith, right, gets a lift from offensive lineman Jeremiah Ponce as they celebrate Smith’s touchdown against JSerra in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt reaches up to make the catch in front of JSerra Kamar Garbourel to set up another Mater Dei touchdown in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, right, pulls in a pass in front of JSerra running back Kamar Garbourel in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    JSerra wide receiver Brett Debergh gets into the open to catch a pass against Mater Dei in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei running back Nathaniel Frazier, center, breaks away for an open field run to score a touchdown against JSerra in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei running back Jordon Davison takes the ball on a end run against JSerra in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    JSerra head coach Victor Santa Cruz during the Trinity League football game against Mater Dei in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei quarterback Elijah Brown fires a pass against JSerra in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    JSerra quarterback Michael Tollefson, left, is sacked by Mater Dei in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei running back Nathaniel Frazier, left, celebrates with running back Jordon Davison after Frazier scored a touchdown on a run against JSerra in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    JSerra quarterback Michael Tollefson gets ready to fire a pass against Mater Dei in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    JSerra head coach Victor Santa Cruz talks with his players during the Trinity League football game against Mater Dei in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei wide receiver Jonah Smith, right, scores on a touchdown pass against JSerra in a Trinity League football game in Santa Ana on Friday, October 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

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    Brown connected with nine different receivers in the first half alone as the Monarchs (6-0, 1-0), ranked No. 1 in Orange County,  built a 28-0 lead against No. 3 JSerra (4-3, 1-1).

    After scoring touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half, the Stanford-bound senior took the rest of the night off, finishing 20-for-22 for 329 yards.

    Mater Dei first-year coach Frank McManus said his talented receiving corps has shown a lot of unselfishness this season.

    “The quarterback is obviously more effective when the receivers understand that he doesn’t have to just throw certain guys the ball,” McManus said. “When you allow the scheme and the play call to develop, everyone is going to get the opportunity to touch the ball, to score or get a catch. So I think what’s happening is you see the receivers now are trusting, not only the play calling, but Elijah’s ability to make the right read and get them the ball.”

    While the offense has been putting up points with ease this season, the defense continues to make things difficult on opposing teams, posting its second consecutive shutout.

    Mater Dei held JSerra to 107 total yards and produced seven sacks, including two by junior outside linebacker Nasir Wyatt, giving him seven on the season, despite missing two games.

    “I’m just looking to continue how I did last year,” said Wyatt, the Trinity League Defensive MVP as a sophomore.

    The Lions picked up a first down on the opening drive of the game before punting to the Monarchs, who quickly made it 7-0 when Brown connected with Marcus Brown on a 10-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-6.

    Marcus Brown, who leads Mater Dei with eight touchdown receptions this season, was the leading receiver with six catches for 90 yards.

    The Monarchs faced a fourth-and-17 on their next drive, but a defensive pass interference made it fourth-and-2. Elijah Brown then found Jonah Smith for a 15-yard touchdown on the final play of the first quarter for a 14-0 lead.

    Kayden Dixon-Wyatt caught two sideline passes totaling 59 yards on Mater Dei’s third drive, and Jordon Davison capped it off with a 1-yard touchdown run for a 21-0 lead.

    The Monarchs scored again with 46 seconds left in the half on a 11-yard touchdown reception by Ajon Bryant, stretching the advantage to 28-0.

    Dixon-Wyatt caught a 28-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive of the second half before Nathaniel Frazier scored on a 67-yard run for a 42-0 lead with 7:48 left in the third quarter.

    Elijah Brown’s night was done, but both he and McManus said they hadn’t been thinking ahead to next week’s showdown with St. John Bosco, a matchup of the No. 1 and 7 teams in the nation, according to Calpreps.

    Wyatt was already getting himself mentally ready, however.

    “It’s going to be a good game against a team we still look at as one of the top two teams in the country,” he said. “We’re coming in there with an open mind, knowing how good the team is and knowing the history behind us and Bosco. We’re still coming in there to dominate.”

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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