With California's state regulations causing No. 1 Mater Dei football to halt a Fall season during the peak of COVID in 2020, the Monarchs return to Fall football Friday, August 27th as they travel to Texas to take on No. 14 Duncanville in the Panthers' first game of the 2021 season.
Mater Dei
Although the Monarchs missed the 2020 Fall season, they were able to play a Spring season in which they posted a 5-0 undefeated record. Fans across the country are going to want to keep their eyes on UCLA commit Cooper Barkate and Notre Dame commit C.J. Williams as they do everything they can to score and continue scoring against Duncanville on Friday night.
A strong offense backed by an extremely talented defense is a tough first opponent for Duncanville. Everyone watching the game can expect Mater Dei to show up with speed, agility, and a determination to move the ball down the field. Mater Dei is ranked as the No. 1 team nationally and won the High School Football America national championship in 2017 and 2018.
Duncanville
The Panthers have, arguably, one of the strongest teams in Texas high school football entering the 2021 season. With names like defensive end Omari Abor and offensive tackle Jaylen Early, Duncanville can be expected to put up a fight on both sides of the ball in their 2021 season debut.
Duncanville has a whole slew of Power 5 athletes like Early (headed to Florida State next year), Oregon State commit Quincy Wright, and Oregon commit Cameron Williams who will certainly give Mater Dei a run for their money. Duncanville is ranked No. 14 nationally after finishing the 2020-21 season in the UIL Class 6A State Semifinals game to eventual 6A State Champions Southlake Carroll.
What To Expect
It's going to be a physical game- there's no doubt about that. Duncanville might have the biggest chip on their shoulder and fire in their hearts to prove all of the nay-sayers wrong as they head into what is expected to be one of the biggest games in the country this weekend.
How To Watch
The game is set to begin at 7:30 and you can catch all of the action on FloSports!