The Monarchs rebounded from a shutout loss in a Trinity League showdown to beat the Braves at the Coliseum for the Southern Section Division 1 title.
Calling all psychologists. Perhaps there’s an easy explanation for how a team that loses the first meeting always seems to win the second in the annual high school football showdowns between Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.
A month after looking confused and uninspired while being shut out in a Trinity League loss, Mater Dei came to the Coliseum on Friday night and got sweet revenge, returning two interceptions for touchdowns to win the Southern Section Division 1 championship, 35-7 over St. John Bosco before 11,622.
“I don’t know what it is,” Mater Dei defensive back Chuck McDonald said. “I just feel the team that loses has nothing to lose and wants it more.”
Last season and in 2019, St. John Bosco won Division 1 titles after losing to Mater Dei in league play. Give credit to first-year Mater Dei coach Frank McManus. He made changes with his coaching staff after his Monarchs lost 28-0 to the Braves on Oct. 13, becoming more engaged in his team’s defense during games. And, boy, did the Monarchs deliver Friday night.
“We had everyone back,” McManus said. “Everyone made the commitment to play whether dinged or not.”
One of the most important players was defensive tackle Jesus Venegas. He missed much of the first meeting because of an injury.
