Against Servite, Mater Dei Is in Like Flynn

John Flynn was mildly surprised to learn this summer that the Mater Dei quarterback job was up for grabs.

He was, after all, the returning starter. Sure, he had been handed the job when others failed. And sure, his experience spanned four wobbly games. But the job, he felt, was his.

No one would argue with that today.

Flynn, a junior, guided the Monarchs passive-aggressive offense perfectly in a 21-0 victory over Servite Thursday at Santa Ana Stadium.

“We just felt that playing in four games wasn’t enough to give the kid the job,” Coach Bruce Rollinson said.

Start No. 5, though, was convincing.

Flynn, who beat back the challenge of junior Jeff Griffis, tortured Servite with quick, short passes. He completed 14 of 15 passes for 204 yards. His only miss was an interception late in the first half.

It was a different look for the Monarchs, who have gone for the quick strikes in past seasons.

“We have to tailor things to John’s capabilities,” Rollinson said.

That would include a little running. Flynn picked his way through the Servite defense on a nine-yard touchdown run that gave the Monarchs a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter. He then all but danced to the sideline.

It was indeed a different Flynn, far from the player who was badgered and flinched in the Monarchs’ 19-3 loss to Rialto Eisenhower in the second round of the Southern Section Division I playoffs last season.

“Things are different this year,” Flynn said. “I’m more calm out there. But I try to get excited too. I want to pump this team up.”

His leadership got the Monarchs past their mistakes, which included two fumbles.

Flynn’s 46-yard completion to Michael-John Rzeznik (four receptions, 74 yards) set up a six-yard touchdown run by Steve Bodnar. Flynn then hit Leie Sualua on the two-point conversion, as the Monarchs (1-0) led, 14-0, at halftime.

Flynn took the Monarchs on an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to open the third quarter. He completed three passes for 39 yards on the drive.

“Throwing the long touchdown pass is fun, but I liked that drive better.”