Smith and Serra Can't Climb Past Mater Dei to Win State Championship

In the most critical sequence of the night in the CIL Division I Open Championship, the final title to be decided this season in California high school football and talented quarterback Maealiuaki Smith got no opportunity to turn it toward his team’s direction. Unbeaten at 12-0, Serra was trying to win this championship in their third straight year to be in it. Down 21-0 to start the second half creative head coach Patrick Walsh had hit team onside kick and they recovered to get the extra possession. 

However, they opened the second half on offense with linebackers Jabari Mann and Danny Nui in a double shotgun set as power quarterbacks. Smith was on the bench when Mann couldn’t handle the snap and Mater Dei (12-1) recovered. 

The Monarchs quarterback Elijah Brown, a four-year starter, that is headed to Stanford connected with Marcus Brown for 26-yards on a fade down to the eight-yard-line. Junior running back Jordan Davison scored on a sweep ont he next play to make it 28-0 Mater Dei and really put it out of reach for Serra.

Mater Dei opened the fourth quarter with a flea flicker for a touchdown to make it 35-0 and kick in the running clock rule. Ironically, Serra had won eight of their 12 games prior to this by evoking the running clock rule. Mater Dei won the championship 35-0 over Serra. A tough finish but Serra was the Northern California Catholic League champions. 

The loss for Smith in his prep finale will hurt for awhile, but it won’t bother Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn, or especially quarterback coach Tim Rattay. They will enthusiastically welcome Smith into the OSU football family this January for the spring semester. 

Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group

Smith earlier this season had a fantastic season. 

Smith finished the game 9-of-14 passing for a modest 42-yards against one of the best defenses in all of high school football. Smith finished his senior season throwing for 1,820-yards on 60 percent passing with 21 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also ran for six touchdowns this season.

The game started a little like the national anthem as it was played on an electric guitar. Serra got the ball frist and Serra head coach Walsh showed more offensive formations than that electric guitar had cords. There were several versions of the swinging gate and several versions of direct snap formations as well. 

As a result, Smith had little opportunity. He completed 5-of-8 passing for 27-yards and had two carries for -4-yards as he had to jump on a bothced snap that hit the slot receiver coming across in motion. 

Mater Dei scored three touchdowns on four first half possessions. After a roughing the kicker gave Mater Dei a first down on their first possession after they had been stopped, Brown hit tight end Mark Bowman in the flat and the freshman did the rest for a 21-yard touchdown. It was 7-0 with 4:56 left in the first quarter. 

The second possession didn’t last long as less than a handful of plays were needed to cover the 85-yards as Brown connected on a vertical with Marcus Harris for the 74-yard touchdown. 

A blocked punt by the Monarchs led to the thrid touchdown as Sean Scott got the block near midfield. Mater Dei scored in five plays with the touchdown being a Brown toss on the hitch to Jonah Smith who tucked inside and powered into the end zone to complete the 13-yard touchdown. Brown, who is heading to Stanford had the supporting case and completed 9-of-14 passing for 199-yards and the three scores.