Mater Dei Football Team Wins Legends 7 v 7 Invitational

Mater Dei football team in action during the Legends 7 v 7 Invitational championship match.

News Summary

Mater Dei’s football team claimed victory at the Legends 7 v 7 Invitational in Long Beach, overcoming an early 0-2 start. The Monarchs defeated Long Beach Poly 12-7 in the final, marking a significant comeback. Coach Raul Lara emphasized the importance of tough competition as the team prepares for fall practices. With a strong roster and upcoming scrimmages, Mater Dei aims for another successful season following their previous championship wins.

Long Beach, CA – Mater Dei’s football team emerged victorious at the Legends 7 v 7 Invitational held at Long Beach Poly High on Saturday, overcoming an early setback to clinch the championship title.

The Monarchs initially struggled in pool play, starting the tournament with an 0-2 record, suffering losses to Long Beach Poly and Inglewood. In a significant turnaround, they defeated Long Beach Poly with a score of 12-7 in the championship match, avenging their previous loss of 14-12 against the same team.

Coach Raul Lara highlighted the value of facing such tough competition, especially since Mater Dei is currently ranked No. 1 in national preseason polls by MaxPreps and High School Football America. Lara stated that experiencing difficulties in a tournament setting is preferable to encountering them when the regular season begins.

As the Monarchs prepare for their fall practice, set to commence on July 28, they have scheduled a scrimmage against Cathedral Catholic of San Diego on August 14. They will kick off their season with a critical matchup against St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida on August 23.

This year’s offseason saw other teams like San Juan Hills, Mission Viejo, and San Clemente capture titles at various passing tournaments, adding to the competitive landscape of high school football in the region.

Coach Lara, who previously led Long Beach Poly, has noted marked advancements at the school, including the introduction of a new all-weather sports field and ongoing construction projects amounting to $450 million. In his first year at Mater Dei, the team won the Southern Section Division 1 title and state championship, setting high expectations as they return with a strong roster.

Among the standout players are Chris Henry Jr. (Ohio State commit), Mark Bowman (USC commit), and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (Ohio State commit). Additionally, the Monarchs are deliberating between two quarterbacks for the starting position: Ryan Hopkins (committed to Wisconsin) and Furian Inferrera (committed to Minnesota).

The competition on Saturday showcased several notable players, including impressive tight ends like Bowman and others who are committed to Division I colleges. Long Beach Poly’s junior cornerback, Donte Wright, measuring at 6 feet 2 inches and committed to Georgia, demonstrated notable talent during the games.

As the summer tournaments come to a close, high school coaches across the region are beginning to distribute shoulder pads in preparation for the official practice schedules, which are set to commence soon. The upcoming weeks will be pivotal as teams finalize their rosters and strategies, leading into the highly anticipated fall season.