Mater Dei - Game Notes
This Friday (10/13/06) the Eagles start Trinity League play by hosting the Mater Dei Monarchs at Saddleback College. A preview of the game has been provided below. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm and Eagle fans are reminded to prepare for a huge crowd - the Monarchs always travel well - so arrive early and set the tone.
This week the Eagles (5-0) host the Mater Dei Monarchs (5-0). It's the first time the two teams have met as undefeateds. They are also currently ranked in the Orange County Top 5, LA Times Regional Top 10 and in the State Top 25. The Monarchs, ranked 21st by USA Today and coming off a 48-6 win over Loara, are led by Head Coach Bruce Rollinson who is in his 18th year.
MaxPreps California Top 10
1 Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA)
2 De La Salle (Concord, CA)
3 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
4 Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA)
5 Lutheran (Orange, CA)
6 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)
7 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA)
8 St. Bonaventure (Ventura, CA)
9 San Clemente (CA)
10 Madera (CA)
This is the 8th meeting between the Eagles and Monarchs. It's the Eagles 4th at home in the series but only the second at Saddleback College. Previously the Eagles have hosted Mater Dei at Cal State Fullerton (2000) and Trabuco Hills High School (2002). The Monarchs hold a 4-3 series edge and have won three in a row. The Eagles won three in a row from 2000 thru 2002. Last year, Monarch running back Ahmad Mokhtar scored on a three-yard run with 1:29 left to cap a 98-yard drive to turn a tight 10-7 game into a 17-7 win for Mater Dei before a crowd of 5,500 at the Santa Ana Bowl.
The following Friday, October 13th, the Eagles continue Trinity League play by visiting Orange Lutheran at Brea Olinda High School. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
Eagle Notes
The Eagles are off to a 5-0 start for the first time since 2003 and the 6th time overall in 18 varsity seasons. They are 12-5 overall in week 6 games, but only 3-2 in week 6 in seasons where they starting 5-0. In 2003, the most recent time the Eagles started 5-0 they traveled to Bishop Amat and won 27-3.
Head Coach Mike Jacot posted his 22nd career victory vs. Foothill and his 11th at home. His career record now stands at 22-16 (.579) and he is 11-8 at home and 11-8 on the road.
The Mater Dei game is the third of five scheduled games in 2006 against Orange County opponents. The Eagles have performed well against OC schools posting a 78-39-1 record (.665). The win over Foothill improved the Eagles all-time mark to 144-60-3 all-time (.703).
The Eagles allowed 41 yards rushing on 25 carries to Foothill a week after surrendering zero net yeads rushing on 20 carries at Fountain Valley. The Eagles allowed only 95 total yards against Foothill and 102 vs. Fountain Valley. They are allowing only 46 yards rushing per game and 1.9 yards per rush. They have also only surrendered six first half points, four defensive touchdowns and 32 total first downs in their first five games (including first downs achieved via penalty). To put the first downs in perspective this is about one for every two drives. The Eagles have twice as many first downs and twice as many takeaways as their opponents in the first five games. They also hold a significant 27-21 average time of possession advantage.
By Adrian Peters
Sports Information Director
