Mater Dei Beats Mission Viejo, 38-13, but Stremick Injured

Mater Dei’s football team defeated Mission Viejo, 38-13, on Saturday to begin what is expected to be a collision course with the South Coast League title. But afterward, the top-ranked Monarchs found little reason to celebrate in front of about 5,500 at Santa Ana Stadium.

Quarterback Nick Stremick was hit in the head in the third quarter, moments before throwing his third interception of the game.

As Mission Viejo’s Jahmal Gillespie was returning the interception 27 yards, Stremick lay writhing in pain.

Stremick walked off the field but later was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital for precautionary measures, Monarch Coach Bruce Rollinson said.

Mater Dei improved to 6-0 overall, 1-0 in league, but committed seven turnovers and rolled up 120 yards in penalties.

It was a turnaround from Mater Dei’s decisive 41-7 victory over Servite last week.

“I think we were just about as horrible as we could be,” Rollinson said. “If we don’t have the ability to come back after a big game, we’ll go down in the playoffs really early.”

The Diablos (3-3, 0-1) took the lead after Scott Carr intercepted a Stremick pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown with 3 minutes 25 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Mater Dei scored on its next possession after Rod Perry made a diving catch in the end zone on an 11-yard pass from Stremick.

Then, Mater Dei’s Mike McNair scored on a one-yard run to spark a second-quarter scoring spree that left Mission Viejo well behind, 24-7, at halftime.