For a high school football team, starting 0-4 does not mean the demise of a season, but it’s a spot every competing team, or a CIF playoff hopeful, wants to avoid.
In Friday night’s matchup between the Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders and the Mira Mesa Marauders, that 0-4 mark is precisely what both teams were looking to avoid.
Ultimately it would be the young Crusaders who would pick up that elusive first win of the season, defeating Mira Mesa 40-21.
“You look at those first few games against Cathedral and against Granite Hills,and we were right in those games. To get these guys battling and understanding how good they can be is something we’re working through. We’re going to get some guys back coming off this five-game stretch, so we’re hopeful we can get healthy and make a nice run,” said Crusaders coach Rashard Cook.
Coming off a week that saw both the Crusaders and Marauders defenses allow north of 50 points, it was fair to expect both offenses to flourish. And that would be the case early, as the two offenses combined to score 47 points in the first half.
Mira Mesa’s offense found early success utilizing tempo and off-tackle run with lead back Max San Agustin. His 4-yard touchdown early in the second quarter gave the Marauders their lone lead of the night.
The Crusaders’ found numerous explosive plays through the air in the first 1st half. Mater Dei quarterback Kartell Purvis was in rhythm early, connecting on three first-half passing touchdowns that included a 54-yarder on an excellent seam ball to Larell Parker and a 35-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Cook.
Cook would tally three first-half touchdowns for the Crusaders, Along with his two first-half receiving touchdowns, Cook would also register a 33-yard pick-six that would give Mater Dei a 33-14 lead at the half.
“I think Kartell is one of the best quarterbacks in the county and Isaiah is one of the top receivers in the county,” Cook said. “If you’re a defensive coach, you have to be aware of that, and that opens up opportunity for other guys to make big plays likethey did tonight. He’s making plays. Is he playing perfect? No, but he’s playing hard, making the right reads, and playing like a senior.”
While the first half was filled with chunk plays for Mater Dei, the second half turned into a game of keep-away, leaning into their running game of Jordan Dumaranand Jeremiah King, and a short passing game to slowly but surely bleed the clock out.
Meanwhile, on defense, linebackers Sebastian Hernandez and Diego Mendozawould do an excellent job of containing the Mira Mesa running game that found so much success in the first half.
“Our defense made some minor adjustments in the second half. A lot of time, young guys like to get up the field thinking it’s a pass play,” Cook said. “But they hunkered down, held their gaps, and the most important thing is that everyone did their job.”
Mater Dei Catholic 40 , Mira Mesa 21
Mater Dei 6 27 0 7 — 40
Mira Mesa 0 14 0 7 — 21
MD — 4 run Dumaran (Kick Failed)
MM — C. Sahe 15 pass from P. Rhea (E. Uriostegui PAT Good)
MD — I. Cook 35 pass from K. Purvis (Kick Failed)
MM — 4 Run M. San Agustin (E. Uriostegui PAT Good)
MD —I. Cook 34 pass from K. Purvis (A. Lopez PAT Good)
MD — L.Parker 54 pass from K. Purvis (A. Lopez PAT Good)
MD — I. Cook 35 INT (A. Lopez PAT Good)
MD — D. Mendoza 38 pass from K. Purvis (A. Lopez PAT Good)
MM — 6 Run San Agustin (E. Uriostegui PAT Good)
Originally Published: