Mater Dei Adds Poly Upset to Rollinson’s Collection

Step into Bruce Rollinson’s office and you’ll find that there’s barely room for so much as a football.

Desks and bookcases are crammed with what seems like every conceivable award, trophy and certificate achieved over 14 years as Santa Ana Mater Dei High’s coach.

Rollinson better clear some space to document the Monarchs’ stirring 21-20 upset of top-seeded Long Beach Poly in the Southern Section Division I semifinal on Saturday before an estimated 9,500 at Edison Field. This victory was as special as any of the nine league championships, five section titles and two national championships that Rollinson has attained.

Unseeded Mater Dei overcame pronounced disadvantages in size and speed--not to mention a 20-7 third-quarter deficit--to stun a Jackrabbit team that had been to the title game every year since 1996.

Sophomore quarterback Jason Forcier, who had completed one of eight passes for minus-six yards, connected with Corey Boudreaux on an 80-yard touchdown play nearly four minutes into the fourth quarter to tie the score at 20.

Kicker Jerry Corona, whose missed extra point three weeks ago cost the Monarchs a shot at the Serra League title, converted the point-after try that sent Mater Dei (10-3) to its first championship game since 1999. The Monarchs will play Los Alamitos, a 31-7 winner over Los Angeles Loyola, in the title game next Saturday at Edison Field.

“This is one of the toughest-hearted teams I’ve ever had,” Rollinson said. “It comes down to the sophomore quarterback not throwing it well and then hitting the big pass. After that, we would not be denied.”

Boudreaux was another Mater Dei hero, hauling in two of the Monarchs’ three interceptions in addition to the winning catch.

“Everyone thought we were going to lose,” said Boudreaux, who has seven interceptions this season. “We proved everyone wrong. Now we’re going to the big show.”

While Mater Dei fans celebrated their victory, Poly players were in disbelief. The Jackrabbits (11-2) had led, 20-7, less than a minute into the third quarter after quarterback Leon Jackson hooked up with Derrick Jones for a 73-yard touchdown on a flanker screen.

Even then, though, Poly Coach Raul Lara was concerned. “My main concern was that we couldn’t let their guys milk the clock and score,” Lara said, “and they did that.”

After Mater Dei running back Rafael Rice (120 yards, two touchdowns) scored on a five-yard run to make it 20-14 midway through the third quarter, Poly had a chance to pad its lead when Nate Smith lined up for a 40-yard field goal. But Smith, whose first-quarter point-after kick was blocked by Ross Poole, had his kick come up just short.