This Thursday, Southern California Excessive College soccer turns the highlight on an all-time opening kickoff in Santa Ana, as No.1 Mater Dei welcomes No. 9 Corona Centennial.
It’s a Tremendous 25 conflict that can set the tone for the remainder of the season, and if the Huskies pull off the street win on the Santa Ana Bowl, it might stymie nationwide championship historical past as nicely.
Centennial could be very a lot primed for the duty in 2024, too, with loads of expertise on either side of the ball to flip the 28-14 end result in 2023.
On offense, the staff is led by five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet (Texas A&M commit), who has the playmaking capabilities to legitimately threaten the Monarchs’ staked protection. His 3,000-plus passing yards and 24 touchdowns final season—in a tricky league/part in opposition to a demanding schedule—are why many see him as among the best within the Golden State coming into 2024.
On the surface, Cory Butler Jr. (Arizona State commit) and Tavian McNair (Utah commit) are essentially the most notable targets for Longstreet, whereas offensive lineman Drew Hill (SMU commit) will probably be tasked with holding off the sturdy rush from the protection.
The Huskies’ protection should face the extra demanding problem on the evening, nonetheless, with a part of the main target coming right down to stopping the Monarch’s passing sport. Search for Michigan State commit LaRue Zamorano II to influence that mission.
Stopping the passing sport is simply a part of the battle, thoughts you, and highlights simply how loaded Mater Dei’s roster is that this season below first-year head coach Raul Lara.
Chaparral (Temecula, Calif.) switch Sprint Beierly (Washington commit) takes over the QB duties, with a stout line to guard him whereas proficient playmakers in operating again Jordon Davison (Oregon commit) and junior broad receiver Chris Henry Jr. (Ohio State commit) add matchup nightmares for the opposition.
On the defensive aspect of the ball, it’s an All-Star group, with Daryus Dixson (Penn State commit) and Chuck McDonald (Alabama commit) within the secondary, Abduall Sanders Jr. (Alabama commit) on the second stage and Nasir Wyatt (Oregon commit) holding down the sting.
Will the staked lineup be sufficient to present the Monarchs a sixth straight win over Huskies?
Or does head coach Matt Logan and the Centennial squad pull off the replace on the street, making it rather more troublesome for Mater Dei to lastly break the all-time Tremendous 25 championship tie with De La Salle (Harmony, Calif.)?
Highschool soccer followers across the nation who need to watch the Tremendous 25 matchup can reside stream the sport on the NFHS Community.
(Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)
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