SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Division I: : Mater Dei vs. Eisenhower

RECORDS--Mater Dei (12-1), Eisenhower (13-0).

SITE--Anaheim Stadium.

MATER DEI UPDATE--The Monarchs have as good a passing attack as there is on the high school level in Southern California. Quarterback Billy Blanton has set a Orange County single-season record for touchdown passes with 33. He is 38 yards shy of setting a single-season record for yards passing. David Lowery, now at San Diego State, threw for 3,325 yards in 1988. Blanton has thrown for 3,288 yards. Blanton broke his nose in the first half in the semifinal game against Loyola, but played the entire second half of the 35-21 victory. Running backs Chris Ruperto and Nickey Sualua give the Monarchs a solid running attack. Sualua has been particularly effective in the playoffs, gaining 63 yards in seven carries against Loyola. Mater Dei can muscle with anyone on defense. The play of linebackers David Knuff, Jason Thies, Jeff Kuhn and Parker Gregg will be important against Eisenhower’s strong running game.

EISENHOWER UPDATE--The Eagles are big, fast and talented, which is why USA Today ranks them No. 1 in the nation. Omar Love, considered one of the top running backs in Southern California, has gained 1,190 yards and has scored 23 touchdowns. Love runs behind an offensive line that averages 266 pounds, with tackle David Ward weighing in at 305 pounds. Quarterback Jevon Hicks doesn’t throw often, but he has passed for 11 touchdowns. The Eagles have outscored their opponents 417-85. Their defense has five shutouts and has held five other teams to one touchdown. Defensive end Germain Gray anchors a unit that has gives up only 169 yards per game. However, the Eagles have not played a team that passes as well as Mater Dei. Cornerbacks Tony Wilson and Marcus Soward are untested against a sophisticated passing game.

KEY TO THE GAME--There are two. Eisenhower’s defensive backs, who must handle Knuff, Ruperto, Roger Morante and the other Mater Dei receivers. Mater Dei’s linebackers, who must out-hit Eisenhower’s big offensive line.

CONSENSUS--Go with the linebackers. Mater Dei by a touchdown or less.