Bishop Amat Is at a Loss Against Mater Dei, 24-6

Highly regarded quarterback Billy Blanton did not have one of his outstanding games Friday night, but he was good enough to lead Santa Ana Mater Dei High to a 24-6 upset victory over Bishop Amat in an Angelus League showdown at La Puente.

After his first pass was intercepted, Blanton recouped to complete nine of 21 passes for 163 yards and one touchdown, as Mater Dei, rated No. 6 in The Times’ poll, won a share of its first league title since 1979.

Mater Dei finished the regular season 9-1 overall, 3-1 in league. The Monarchs could finish in a three-way tie for first with Bishop Amat and Loyola, if the Cubs defeat Servite tonight. Based on the league’s tiebreaking system, Mater Dei will be the Angelus’ first-place representative in the Southern Section Division I playoffs. The pairings will be announced Sunday.

“We knew that we had to hit with them,” Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson said. “They were physical, but we matched up with them. The key was that we didn’t panic once they got ahead of us.”

No. 3 Bishop Amat scored first when backup quarterback Andy Reitz, who started in place of Mike Smith, completed a swing pass to Rodney Sermons for a 32-yard touchdown play early in the first quarter.

Mater Dei came right back with an eight-play, 79-yard drive that was capped by a 17-yard touchdown run by Brian Solis to give the Monarchs a 7-6 lead.

The Monarchs went ahead, 14-6, when Chris Ruperto’s three-yard score was set up by Blanton’s 15-yard run.

In the second half, Mater Dei stopped Bishop Amat’s offense, which was hampered because standout tailback Scott Fields was slowed by an ankle injury.

Mater Dei scored late in the third quarter on a 32-yard field goal by Brian Broadbent and then clinched the victory on a 47-yard touchdown pass play from Blanton to David Knuff in the fourth quarter.

“We scored first and then didn’t score again and that was the key,” Bishop Amat Coach Mark Parades said. “We did not tackle, nor did we block well.”

Fields, who did not practice this week, gained 33 yards in eight carries. Smith, who also did not practice, came off the bench to complete three of 17 passes for 43 yards. Two of his passes were intercepted.

Bishop Amat is 9-1, 3-1.