Mater Dei Defeats Banning

Wilmington Banning was within striking distance at halftime, but Santa Ana Mater Dei clamped down in the second half and shut out the Pilots, 30-0, in an intersectional game Friday night at Gardena High.

Trailing 14-0 at halftime and still entertaining thoughts of an upset, Banning (1-4) drove to the Mater Dei 34-yard-line on its first drive of the second half.

But Mater Dei (4-1) forced an incomplete pass on fourth down, took over and drove 66 yards in 10 plays. Quarterback Matt Leinart found Jeff Diulio on a nine-yard slant for a drive-capping touchdown that gave Mater Dei a 21-0 lead with 4:39 left in the third quarter.

Sal Guerrero gained 112 yards in 24 carries for Banning.