Mater Dei’s Depth Proves Too Much for Banning, 37-0

It was supposed to be a matchup between the City Section’s top running back and Orange County’s best player, but Friday’s nonleague league game between Mater Dei and Wilmington Banning highs looked more like a coming-out party.

Matt Leinert, Mater Dei’s junior quarterback, threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns and senior running back Junior Palacios rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Monarchs to a 37-0 victory at Santa Ana Stadium.

The Pilots (1-3) were without senior running back Chris Howard, who sat out with an injured knee. Howard, who rushed for 2,495 yards and 34 touchdowns last season, came into the game averaging 174 yards and was responsible for four of Banning’s five touchdowns this season.

Mater Dei’s Matt Grootegoed, who rushed for 1,228 yards and 20 touchdowns last season while earning Times Orange County back of the year, started the game at quarterback, but came out midway through the first quarter after slightly injuring his thumb trying to block a punt.

Grootegoed was replaced by Leinert, who promptly hit Grootegoed out of the backfield for a 48-yard touchdown pass, giving the Monarchs a 14-0 lead. It was one of the few times Grootegoed touched the ball on offense, as he finished with no yards rushing in three carries and completed just one of four passes for 37 yards.

“I thought Junior had a hot hand and I wanted to see Junior get up and go a little bit,” Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson said. “Matt will be there. It’s a nice situation when you don’t have to play Grootegoed that much.”

Leinert, who was injured last season and didn’t play, said it was the most action he’s seen this season, but didn’t expect to take over full-time duties.

“It’s going to be the same way all year I think,” Leinert said. “Me and Groots are happy with it, it’s working and we’re back on track.”

The Monarchs (3-2) led, 27-0, at the half. Palacios, who was also injured for much of last season, capped the opening drive of the game with a one-yard touchdown run, then added a three-yard run midway through the second quarter to give Mater Dei a 20-0 lead.

The Monarchs increased their lead just before halftime, when Leinert rolled out and hit tight end Lewis Clapp with a 22-yard touchdown pass.