The Southern California Showdown is here! Friday night, at Santa Ana Stadium, Mater Dei, No. 1 in the High School Football America 300, powered by NFL Play Football, hosts No. 2 St. John Bosco.
What’s on the line?
The winner will lock-up at least a share of the Trinity League title with two weeks to go in the regular season. The team that comes out of top will also have the inside track to another national championship.
Six of the last seven HSFA national championships have gone to these two schools. Mater Dei won national title in 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023. SJB won the crowns in 2019 and 2022.
To quote baseball great Ernie Banks, these two like to play two.
Since 2016, Mater Dei and St. John Bosco have played twice in the same season, six times. And, it’s not always best to win the first one.
As you can see below, in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023, the winner of the first game, lost the rematch.
Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco Parts I & II
2023
Regular season – St. John Bosco 28, Mater Dei 0
Playoffs – Mater Dei 35, St. John Bosco 7
2022
Regular season – Mater Dei 17, St. John Bosco 7
Playoffs – St. John Bosco 24, Mater Dei 22
2019
Regular Season – Mater Dei 38, St. John Bosco 24
Playoffs – St. John Bosco 39, Mater Dei 34
2018
Regular Season – St. John Bosco 41, Mater Dei 18
Playoffs – Mater Dei 17, St. John Bosco 13
2017
Regular Season – Mater Dei 31, St. John Bosco 21
Playoffs – Mater Dei 49, St. John Bosco 24
2016
Regular Season – Mater Dei 26, St. John Bosco 21
Playoffs – St. John Bosco 42, Mater Dei 28
2013
Regular Season – St. John Bosco 24, Mater Dei 2
Playoffs – St. John Bosco 34, Mater Dei 7
You can see how each team arrived here during the first three weeks of Trinity League play below.
