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Mater Dei’s football team recovered from an 0-2 start in pool play to capture the Legends 7 v 7 Invitational at Long Beach Poly High on Saturday.
The Monarchs avenged an earlier loss against Long Beach Poly by beating the Jackrabbits 12-7 in the championship of their final passing competition of the offseason.
In pool play, Long Beach Poly defeated Mater Dei 14-12. The Monarchs also lost to Inglewood.
Mater Dei coach Raul Lara said the setbacks served as a reminder about the target on the Monarchs. They’re ranked No. 1 in national preseason polls by MaxPreps and High School Football America.
“It’s a great experience for the kids so they can understand,” Lara said, “when people see that MD and they know you’re the No. 1 team in the country, this is literally their Super Bowl.”
“I know (our players) know (this), but sometimes as kids, they get complacent,” the coach added. “It’s good that it happened. I’d rather it happen here than in a regular season game.”
The Monarchs open fall practice on July 28. They will scrimmage at Cathedral Catholic of San Diego on Aug. 14 before kicking off the season against St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida on Aug. 23.
Here’s a look at some of the winners from passing tournaments this offseason:
Air Strike: San Juan Hills
Long Beach Tournament of Champions: Mission Viejo
Western: Mater Dei
South County Classic: Mission Viejo
Brave 8: San Clemente
Battle at the Beach: Mission Viejo
Seahawk Shootout: San Juan Hills
Legends 7 v 7 Invitational at Long Beach Poly: Mater Dei
