Edison Discovers Ways to Beat Mater Dei, 24-21

Some believe Huntington Beach Edison might be as talented as the Charger team that advanced to the Southern Section Division I final four years ago.

If how the Chargers played Friday night against Santa Ana Mater Dei is any barometer, they are certainly close.

Edison, ranked No. 3 in the Southland by The Times, scored on offense, defense and special teams against the No. 13 Monarchs, paving the way for a 24-21 victory at Cal State Fullerton.

During the 2001 season, Edison defeated Mater Dei, 20-13, in a nonleague game, then ousted the Monarchs, 41-7, in a Division I semifinal. The Chargers went on to lose to Long Beach Poly, 41-28, in the championship game, finishing with an 11-1-1 record.

“Right now, we’re not there,” Edison Coach Dave White said. “We got a lot better that year. If we get a lot better this year, I’ll be happy. We have to play better than we did now to beat them again, I’ll tell you that.”

Mater Dei (1-3) suffered another setback when leading rusher Ahmed Mokhtar re-injured his ankle on the first series and did not return. Carrington Spence replaced him and rushed for 109 yards in 23 carries.

Justin Christjaener returned the second-half kickoff 99 yards to extend Edison’s lead to 17-7. After making it 24-7 on a five-yard touchdown run by quarterback Brian Shrock, Edison (3-1) did not get a first down on its final four possessions, allowing the Monarchs to creep within three points

Dominique Vinson, who returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter, recovered an on-side kick with 1:51 left and the Chargers were able to hold the ball until only 14 seconds remained.

Robert Dubrish had eight receptions for 111 yards for the Monarchs.