Mater Dei Does Number on No. 1 Mission Viejo : Prep football: Monarchs return to playing the way they did in their glory days with a 42-7 victory over Orange County’s top-ranked team.

So thorough was the beating that Mater Dei couldn’t wait to start celebrating. With eight minutes remaining in Thursday’s game, the Monarchs, their fans and, yes, even their coach began to whoop it up at Santa Ana Stadium.

And why not? The 42-7 victory over Mission Viejo said plenty.

The Monarchs had not only won running away, they did so by walking all over the No. 1-ranked team in Orange County. It also gave third-ranked Mater Dei (6-0) a big lift before plowing into the always-competitive Angelus League.

But, more significantly--at least in Coach Bruce Rollinson’s mind--was the statement the victory made: Mater Dei, a long dormant powerhouse, may have returned to its past glory.

Rollinson, dripping wet from the traditional water-bucket-over-the-head ceremony, could hardly contain himself after the game. Last year, he took the Monarchs to the Southern Section Division I semifinals, and this season they are off to their best start in more than two decades.

“We’re back. We’re back,” Rollinson said over and over. “Baby, we’re back.

“The game we won last year over Eisenhower was big. It got us to the semifinals. But this one is right up there with it.”

Rollinson, who played on the Monarchs 1965 Southern Section championship team, began handing out handshakes early Thursday. He started congratulating his players with more than four minutes left.

By then, the game was long over, at least in the competitive sense.

The Diablos (4-1) were completely overwhelmed. They were limited to 84 total yards and turned the ball over three times.

Mission Viejo could neither run the ball, nor pass it. Quarterback Payson LeMeilleur completed five of 15 passes for 50 yards. He also had two passes intercepted, one of which was returned 16 yards by linebacker David Knuff for a touchdown.

“We knew they were a tough team, but we have the greatest talent in the world,” Knuff said. “We came to play tonight.”

The Diablos couldn’t claim the same. They played without offensive linemen Brian Hodson (knee surgery), Rob Cullinan (separated shoulder) and Kevin Yerkovich (sprained ankle). All are starters and all are big.

To make matters worse, fullback Erick Fielding sat out, also with a separated shoulder. Without much blocking, LeMeilleur spent a good deal of time face down.

The Monarchs had five sacks, two by Knuff.

“All week, I said we were healthy. I guess I lied,” Mission Viejo Coach Mike Rush said. “I’m a class guy, so I don’t want to talk about the injuries.”

However, there was nothing wrong with the Diablo defense, at least at the start of the game. By the end, their heads were spinning.

After a slow start, Mater Dei quarterback Billy Blanton had a field day. He completed 13 of 23 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns.

His only mistake was in the second quarter, when Eddie Benyo returned an interception 82 yards for a touchdown. Blanton redeemed himself later in the quarter with a 78-yard touchdown pass to Chris Ruperto, which broke a 7-7 tie.

Knuff’s interception return in the third quarter increased the lead to 21-7. The Monarchs then poured it on, scoring on their next three possessions.