Mike Sciacca, Independent
The way Mater Dei High football coach Bruce Rollinson was talking
Thursday, he had his team at a disadvantage for tonight's pivotal
nonleague showdown with Edison at Orange Coast College's LeBard Stadium.
It's not often, mind you, that Rollinson feels this way. His
sentiments are due to the fact that his Monarchs are in the process of
rebounding from last Saturday night's thrilling 31-28 loss to De La
Salle, the nation's top-ranked prep team.
Mater Dei spotted De La Salle a 21-0 first quarter lead, then came up
with a big second half rally, only to see a potential game tying field
goal sail wide with 33 seconds to play.
Gone, also, was Mater Dei's shot at ending De La Salle's 102 game
winning streak.
"It was a tough loss, but I'm extremely proud of my kids," Rollinson
said. "That game took a lot out of us, both physically and emotionally,
and now we need to get ready for a very talent Edison team.
"In the motivational area, I think we're at a disadvantage. It'll be
up to our kids to realize that this is another big time game, especially
in Orange County."
Mater Dei has not lost consecutive games in, "as long as I can
remember," said Rollinson. The Monarchs are favored to end their losing
skid at one game tonight as the two teams meet for the first time in 13
years, but Rollinson knows his team can't rest on its laurels.
"This is a high profile county matchup, and our kids are well aware of
Edison's players and the program's well deserved reputation. We know that
they have an awfully big offensive line, speed in their offensive
backfield, and a defense that is also of a concern."
Two of the county's top quarterbacks, both future Division I players,
go head-to-head tonight.
Edison's Richard Schwartz has been more than consistent in his first
three games, but has yet to have a break out performance. He has
attempted just 39 passes in three games, but has completed 23 for 383
yards and four touchdowns, with one interception.
His counterpart, Mater Dei's Matt Leinart, will test Edison's
secondary. Last weekend, against the nation's top-rated prep team,
Leinart threw for 401 yards.
In three games, Leinart has thrown for a county best 827 yards and six
touchdowns with an interception, and has completed 62-percent of his
passes (56-89).
Leinart's favorite target has been Jeff Diulio, who has 379 yards on
three receptions.
If Edison holds an edge on offense, it comes in the running game,
which is spearheaded by Darryl Poston. With 392 yards and a 7.7 rushing
