Football: How big was Mater Dei victory?
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The upset victory by Santa Ana Mater Dei over Santa Margarita in a Trinity League opener on Thursday night has given the Monarchs a huge boost in trying to secure one of three Pac-5 Division playoff spots from the league.
Three wins in league play is the objective to gain a playoff spot. That’s what got Mater Dei into the playoffs last season, leading to a semifinal spot. Considering that JSerra will be a likely victory, all the Monarchs would then need is one more win in games against St. John Bosco, Orange Lutheran and Servite. All will be tough assignments, but it’s certainly a better road than what Santa Margarita faces.
The Eagles came in 5-0 and ranked No. 2 by The Times. The loss leaves little maneuver room for Santa Margarita. The Eagles are going to have to run the table against Orange Lutheran, JSerra and St. John Bosco or have to beat Servite in a regular-season finale. And Mater Dei already owns a tiebreaker edge by virtue of its victory.
Santa Margarita badly misses one of its fastest players, receiver River Cracraft, who had foot surgery two weeks ago and might not be back this season.
-- Eric Sondheimer