Mater Dei’s soccer workforce defeated Rancho Cucamonga 39-6 within the finals of the Struggle on the Seashore passing event Saturday at Edison Prime in Huntington Seashore. (Photograph through Dan Albano, Orange County Sign up/SCNG)
Beef up our highschool sports activities protection through turning into a virtual subscriber. Subscribe now
HUNTINGTON BEACH — Mater Dei’s soccer program equipped a glimpse Saturday into the way it hopes to function beneath first-year trainer Frank McManus, a couple of new assistants and stable, four-year beginning quarterback Elijah Brown.
If the Monarchs’ efficiency on the Struggle on the Seashore used to be any indication, get able for a united effort, workforce play and execution.
Mater Dei captured the distinguished passing event for the primary time since 2019 through capping a 7-0 run with a 39-6 victory towards Rancho Cucamonga within the ultimate at Edison Prime.
The Monarchs, ranked No. 1 within the country in a couple of preseason polls, survived a scare in pool play from Warren (21-19) ahead of beating Orange Lutheran (28-13) and protecting champion Challenge Viejo (25-0) within the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
“I’m in point of fact pleased with them,” McManus mentioned of his avid gamers. “It used to be an excessively business-like nature in the market. After the sport, they had been excited however they got here in fairly quiet. They remember that that is about extra than simply this second. We’re getting ready for a just right season.”
“Giant picture-wise, it’s about Sport 1, Centennial (of Corona),” he added.
And for the primary time since 1988, the Monarchs are getting ready for season beneath a head trainer rather than Bruce Rollinson.
McManus took the reins in February after Rollinson strangely introduced his resignation past due ultimate season after previous pointing out he would go back for 2023.
McManus’ training taste used to be on show for all to look Saturday. He engaged his avid gamers during the day. He whizzed out and in of defensive huddles, vocally inspired avid gamers and temporarily joined a couple of in images later on.
All through the Warren sport, McManus joked with the officers and opposition, and playfully pounded the bottom.
“I don’t assume I’ve needed to exchange a lot in any respect,” he mentioned, “rather than to simply permit the coaches to do what they do, permit the children to exhibit their herbal abilities and allow them to be themselves.”
Brown for sure gave the look of himself within the ultimate.
The hot Stanford dedicate threw 5 TDs to 4 other receivers. He tossed two to senior working again Ajon Byrant, who coated up within the slot, and one apiece to junior working again Jordon Davison and rising sophomore large receivers Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Jonah Smith.
Mater Dei’s offense hummed beneath new offensive coordinator Eric Rescigno, who replaces Taylor Kelly.
Working again Nathaniel Frazier and large out Marcus Brown had been a number of the key goals previous within the event.
“Offense used to be without a doubt on level these days,” McManus mentioned. “Looking to execute on first down used to be a large factor. We would have liked to have first-down luck … and taking what defenses had been giving us as a substitute of going for large yardage performs proper off the bat.”
Mater Dei’s protection, beneath veteran coordinator Eric Johnson, won an interception within the ultimate from sophomore cornerback Cory Lavender. The takeaway ended in a protracted TD strike from Brown to Smith because the Monarchs opened a 26-0 lead.
Within the semifinals, junior cornerback Daryus Dixson performed neatly towards Challenge Viejo.
“It’s one voice, one guy orchestrating this protection, and everyone knows our roles,” McManus mentioned of Johnson. “My activity is get him to be right here every other 5 years, however we’re going to head three hundred and sixty five days at a time.”
The Monarchs’ training personnel additionally now comprises Scott McKnight, the previous JSerra trainer who will lead the particular groups.
Former Saddleback trainer Glenn Campbell is main the working backs.
Mater Dei wasn’t full-strength. Cornerback Zabien Brown and large receiver Jack Ressler didn’t play however Mater Dei stepped forward after falling to Warren within the semifinals of the USC event ultimate week.
Subsequent week, the Monarchs will end their summer time on the Challenge Viejo event.
“The personnel is in point of fact coming in combination and the avid gamers are in point of fact coming in combination,” McManus mentioned. “And such as you noticed after the sport with the avid gamers, now not a large number of ego. There’s a large number of togetherness, and it’s the similar factor with the training personnel.”
Extra Struggle on the Seashore protection to come back. Please test again for updates.
