Familiar territory for Huskies as they fall to Mater Dei in Semifinals game

Head Coach Matt Logan (Photo courtesy: Bridget Smith)

Posted at 11:16 AM PST

By: Tyler Myerly

SANTA ANA– The Huskies finished their season Friday night with a loss to Mater Dei, their only loss in 13 games. The score of 48-14 looks worse than it was considering defense only gave up three of the seven touchdowns scored by Mater Dei.

(Photo courtesy: Bridget Smith)

The first four touchdowns were scored by Mater Dei’s defense in the first half, three of the four pick-sixes by Elias Ricks alone. Centennial’s offense noticeably deflated after their first touchdown, during the first possession of the game, was called back due to an inadvertent whistle.

“I think that play alone, really changed the complexion of the game,” Coach Logan said. The Huskies were down 35-0 at the half, but within the first few minutes of play time in the second half it looked like they might have had a ball game.

After halftime, defense forcing turnovers and allowing offense to make those plays and score. Sivi Nomura blocking the Monarchs’ punt and putting the Huskies in the red zone to score again. Those two possessions however, were followed by penalties and missed plays that the Huskies couldn’t recover from.

Centennial had more total plays, more first downs, and more possession time than Mater Dei did, but their execution just wasn’t enough. Mater Dei even had 199 penalty yards compared to Centennial’s 75 penalty yards.

It was a tough loss for the team, considering this first loss was a season-ending one. Emotions were running high following the game as Centennial gathered together for their traditional Senior Tunnel. “I’m really proud of the Seniors, the senior leadership they displayed,” Coach Logan said. Each Senior taking their turn shaking hands and hugging teammates and coaches through the tunnel after their last and final high school game.

Senior Sivi Nomura hugging Coach Matt Logan following Friday night’s loss. (Photo courtesy: Bridget Smith)

Last year the Huskies lost in the semifinals round against St. John Bosco. Mater Dei advances to the CIF-SS Division 1 Championship game against St. John Bosco where they will face off again.