Mater Dei (9-2) vs. Rialto Eisenhower (10-1)

By BEN BOLCH

Nov. 24, 2000 12 AM PT

7:30 TONIGHT RIALTO EISENHOWER HIGH

The Monarchs and Eagles have developed a storied and heated rivalry thanks to a handful of memorable playoff meetings. Mater Dei won the last one, 28-21, after sweating out a late Eisenhower comeback in last season’s semifinals. This time, third-seeded Eisenhower is a slight favorite. Matt Leinart is a more prolific passer than his counterpart, Idris Moss, but the Eagles have a better rushing game. Donta’ Jackson rushed for three touchdowns and Damian Huff added two scores last week as Eisenhower rolled over Los Alamitos, 35-21.

KEY PLAYERS

Mater Dei

QB Matt Leinart

64%, 2,642 yds., 24 TDs

WR Jeff Diulio

75 rec., 1,190 yds., 12 TDs

RB Camron Carmona

511 yds., 5 TDs

Eisenhower

QB Idris Moss

56%, 1,564 yds., 18 TDs

RB Donta’ Jackson

707 yds., 6 TDs

WR Michael Hawkins

38 rec. 757 yds., 10 TDs

High School Sports Sports

Ben Bolch

Ben Bolch has been a Los Angeles Times staff writer since 1999. He is serving his second stint as the UCLA beat writer, which seems fitting since he has covered almost every sports beat except hockey and horse racing. Bolch is also the author of the recently released book “100 Things UCLA Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.” He previously covered UCLA basketball from 2010-11 before going on to cover the NBA and the Clippers for five years. He happily traded in gobs of hotel points and airline miles to return to cover UCLA basketball and football in the summer of 2016. Bolch was once selected by NBA TV’s “The Starters” as the “Worst of the Week” after questioning their celebrity journalism-style questions at an NBA All-Star game and considers it one of his finer moments.

Mater Dei (9-2) vs. Rialto Eisenhower (10-1)

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