Football: Players stand out in Edison tournament won by Mater Dei

You didn’t know whether to laugh or close your eyes to prevent embarrassment. There was 6-foot-4 junior Tae Le of Corona del Mar going out for a pass against Santa Ana Mater Dei at Saturday’s Edison passing tournament.

The defender first grabbed Le’s shirt, then pulled down his shorts. There was no penalty called. Le still was able to catch the pass, then quickly pulled up his shorts and ran back like nothing had happened. Moments earlier, he went airborne catching another pass, was shaken up but got right back up. He was one of the standouts at a seven on seven tournament featuring 20 of the top high school football teams in Southern California.

Le, whose mother came to the United States from Vietnam as a child, is someone to watch for this fall, along with Corona del Mar’s talented quarterback, Chase Garbers, a Cal commit. Corona del Mar could be the favorite to win Southern Section Division 4. The Sea Kings lost to Narbonne in Saturday’s quarterfinals.

Mater Dei was the best team from beginning to end, going 7-0 and beating Valencia in the final. Sophomore quarterback J.T. Daniels is doing something neither Matt Barkley nor Matt Leinart did so early in their prep careers at Mater Dei _ get the opportunity to call the plays. He’s had “carte blanch” to make decisions, according to Coach Bruce Rollinson. And to see his development means the Monarchs will be very good in Division 1 this fall.

“It’s probably the best way to get better and learn from what I do,” Daniels said of the freedom given to him by the coaching staff.

He was aided by a deep and talented receiving corp. Sophomore Bru McCoy is a future standout and helps a group of receivers led by the St. Brown brothers, Osiris and Amon-Ra. Mater Dei’s secondary, led by Quentin Lake and Xavier Bell, was aggressive and effective all day.

Valencia made it to the finals behind 6-3 quarterback Aaron Thomas and sophomore receiver Mykael Wright. Narbonne lost to Valencia in the semifinals. Quarterback Jalen Chatman, only a junior, should be ready to lead the Gauchos to City Section prominence.

Edison, in its final season under Coach Dave White, lost to Mater Dei in the semifinals. Junior quarterback Griffin O’Connor is making good progress.

Corona Centennial has great confidence in 6-6 junior quarterback Tanner McKee. The Huskies lost in the quarterfinals.

Gardena Serra had moments of success. The Cavaliers have lots of promising skill-position players, led by receiver Kobe Smith.

Cathedral will have a strong passing attack behind four-year starter Andrew Tovar and incoming freshman Bryce Young.

St. John Bosco rotated three quarterbacks and never seemed to develop the tempo or rhythm it hopes to have on offense in the fall when pads come on. But the Braves have plenty of talent and a dominant offensive line eager to join in the fray.

Oaks Christian won the consolation title, defeating St. Bonaventure in the final.

What’s clear is that Mater Dei has all the pieces to challenge for a No. 1 spot in the fall, led by a sophomore quarterback who showed this summer his successful freshman season was no fluke.

In the Santa Fe tournament, Don Lugo won the championship, beating Villa Park in the final.

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