Everybody’s Up for Big Game : 30,000 Expected at Big A for Los Alamitos-Mater Dei

For the first time in years, Anaheim Stadium this week will be home to a football game where champions will clash, crowds will roar, beer won’t flow and team spirit will be as plentiful as the popcorn.

Of course, the Los Angeles Rams have nothing to do with it. Rather, the titans of Orange County high school football will meet on the grassy field Friday night, before one of the largest crowds to cheer a local schoolboy match.

No. 1-ranked Los Alamitos High School collides with No. 2 Mater Dei High of Santa Ana in the CIF Southern Section Division I semifinal playoff game.

The much-anticipated “Big Game,” which is expected to draw as many as 30,000 to the Big A, has ignited pigskin passions in students, teachers, parents and old-fashioned football fans countywide.

“Mater Dei has that Notre Dame-type following. The fans are fanatically loyal,” said Lt. Timm Browne of the Orange Police Department, whose daughter Kendra is a sophomore at the private Catholic high school. “Everyone is talking about it. It’s for bragging rights.”

But Los Alamitos’ following is equally fanatical. Their team is riding a 47-game unbeaten streak.

“This is a huge game,” said Joanne Diller, 41, a Seal Beach resident who bought six tickets Wednesday at the school. “I don’t have any kids that go to school there or anything. I just like football and the kids play their hearts out.”

At both campuses this week, when adults or kids huddle together during breaks, the talk turns invariably to the game. School offices report a flood of calls from their communities.

Perhaps the greatest indicator of that intense interest is the venue--the Big A. Originally slated for Saturday at Cerritos College, the game was moved to accommodate the expected crowd.

It’s unlikely, however, the attendance will surpass that for the 1992 contest between Mater Dei and Rialto Eisenhower, which drew 33,204 to the Big A.

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Amid the hype, school officials have found it a challenge to keep students focused on their studies.

“We are trying to keep it low-key,” said Los Alamitos Principal Carol Hart, in her 10th year at the school. “We have to balance football and the academics.”

But Hart admitted she has difficulty curbing her own excitement. The game is more than a matter of school pride for her, it’s also personal. Her son, Brandon, is starting linebacker for the Griffins.

“I play a dual role as parent and principal,” Hart said. “It’s been great for our family, and this will be one of the most exciting games we’ve ever played. . . . It’s been nerve-racking.”

Assistant football coach Dave Money made a similar observation about Mater Dei.

“You can feel the electricity around campus,” the Monarchs’ offensive coordinator said. “We have anticipated this for so long. And you try to tell the players not to anticipate it because the press will hype it so much and then finally it gets here . . . it’s just amazing.”

Mater Dei starting quarterback John Flynn said he is out to redeem his team’s playoff loss last year to Rialto Eisenhower: “We have been waiting for this since August.”

Stellar performances by both Mater Dei and Los Alamitos have set the stage for Friday’s gridiron classic. Both teams are unbeaten this year. They compete in different leagues and haven’t met since 1980, when they played to a 0-0 tie. Los Alamitos has won three consecutive section titles (Division III in 1991, Division II in 1992 and ‘93). And Mater Dei, a perennial force in county football, has captured five Division I section championships, the last one in 1991.

“Angel Stadium is where the pros play, and so it’s kind of like we are pros too,” said Laura Mumolo, a Mater Dei senior. “It’s going to be a tough game. We’re both good.”

(Unlike the professional games, however, alcohol will not be sold at the high school contest.)

The excitement has made Elizabeth Cover’s task as pep commissioner at Los Alamitos fairly simple. The game has unleashed a torrent of enthusiasm, she said.

“It’s so easy to get school spirit going for this,” said Cover, a senior. “I’m really proud of Los Al spirit. We couldn’t have any more support.”

In addition to hoisting school banners and posters at their own campuses and on nearby streets, students from both schools say folks should expect to see their signs popping up on rival turf before week’s end.

However, all students haven’t been swept away by the prospect of winning a football title. For his part, Mitsu Kimura had other things on his mind than “the big game.” The Los Alamitos junior is concentrating on his wrestling match in the 103-pound weight class, also scheduled for Friday night.

“This whole school revolves around football,” Kimura said. “If you think about it, it’s just a sport. It’s not that big a deal.”

Kimura is not expecting a big turnout at his wrestling contest, even from fellow wrestlers. Teammate Neil Wright said he is going to forfeit his match.

“Hey, I’m going to the football game,” Wright said.

Football Faceoff Here are profiles of the two Orange County high schools and their undefeated football teams, which square off Friday night at Anaheim Stadium. The winning team will represent Orange County in the Southern Section Division I title game next week. *

Los Alamitos High School Founded: 1967 Student body: 2,550 Grades: 9-12 College prep: 85% of students go on to college. School colors: Red, blue, gold and white Mascot: Griffin (head of an eagle, body of a lion) Football coach: John Barnes Quarterback: Kevin Feterik, junior Varsity cheerleaders: Last won a national championship in 1985. *

Mater Dei High School Founded: 1950 Student body: 2,100 Grades: 9-12 College prep: 97% of students go on to college. School colors: Red and gray. Mascot: Moarch (a lion) Football coach: Bruce Rollinson Quarterback: John Flynn, senior Varsity cheerleaders: Won 1994 national championship Source: Individual schools; Researched by CAROLINE LEMKE / Los Angeles Times