Video: Centennial looks ahead to their game against Mater Dei

Video: Centennial vs Mater Dei Preview

CORONA - In the afterglow of his team's fifth victory of the season last week, Corona Centennial coach Matt Logan gathered his football players in the end zone to remind them their toughest challenge lay ahead.

Not that any of the Huskies had forgotten.

They've whispered about it on the sideline during games for weeks. They've cited it as motivation each time a barbell seemed too heavy or a wind sprint too exhausting. They've daydreamed about it during class, on bus rides and even during practice.

Two months of giddy anticipation will finally give way to the football game itself tonight as Centennial High School throws its budding reputation, freshly minted No. 17 national ranking and all else at mighty Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana in a matchup pitting the two top-ranked teams in the state.

"It's been hard not to think about Mater Dei ever since we found out they were on our schedule," senior receiver Marsel Posey said. "This is the game that's going to put us on the map. Even though the coaches have told us not to focus on it, we've been telling everyone to get excited."

No. 2 state-ranked Centennial (5-0) has already defeated three teams that began the season in the state's top 25, but tonight's showdown with No. 1 Mater Dei (4-0) promises to be its stiffest challenge.

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Win, and the Huskies almost certainly would ascend to the top of the state rankings by CalHiSports, a leading authority on high school sports in California.

Lose, and they risk being remembered as just another rock-slinging Inland team that couldn't slay one of Orange County's giants.

"It's an opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the top teams in the state, if not the nation," Logan said. "We've beaten some good teams already this season, but this would be our biggest win yet."

In the 11 years since Logan took over as head coach, he has transformed Centennial's football team from a burgeoning Inland power into one of the premier programs in Southern California. Not only have Logan's teams won six league championships and three California Interscholastic Federation titles, they've also forced their way into the spotlight by challenging some of the state's elite programs.

Mismatch in '05

In 2005, the Huskies were no match for Long Beach Poly High. In 2006, they rebounded to narrowly defeat perennial powers Valencia, Clovis West and Encino's Crespi High. This year, Centennial has navigated its most treacherous schedule yet, building momentum for its showdown against Mater Dei with convincing victories over Crespi, Clovis West and Dominguez High in Compton.

"Matt wants to play the best teams he can play," Centennial athletic director Dennis Pratt said. "There was a time when the best weren't interested in playing us. Now that we've made our way up the ladder and stayed three or four years, it's easier for us to get games like that."

Mater Dei's proximity and pedigree make it an attractive opponent for Centennial, so Pratt has tried to persuade the Monarchs to play his school each of the past six years. His perseverance finally was rewarded in April when Mater Dei agreed to a two-year series with Centennial.

Respect for Centennial

Two factors caused Mater Dei to relent: Centennial's gradual ascent made it a more enticing draw, and Pratt agreed to play both games at the 10,000-seat Santa Ana Stadium, a venue better-equipped to hold the Monarchs' red-clad rooting section than Centennial's cramped, on-campus stadium.

"I've been laying awake all week thinking, 'What did I get myself into?' " Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson said. "We've got a lot of respect for Centennial, and we're not going to duck competition. We admire a team that is successful year-in, year-out because we know how difficult it is."

If there's any Centennial team capable of toppling Mater Dei, it might be this year's squad.

Logan's no-huddle offense is led by a pair of seniors: Arizona-bound quarterback Matt Scott and running back Ryan Bass, a 2,000-yard rusher each of the past two years. His defense, featuring a trio of senior linebackers, is the best he has ever coached, according to Logan.

Centennial also has ample motivation, having blown its chance at an undefeated season and a spot in one of the inaugural state bowl games last year with a stunning second-round playoff loss to Chaparral High School in Temecula.

"We're out for revenge this year," Posey said. "There were plenty of people who didn't think we could beat Dominguez, Clovis West or Mater Dei, but so far we've come out, did our thing, and shut them up. I even had family members that doubted us."

Mater Dei, which is ranked No. 5 nationally, expects its usual legion of fans tonight at Santa Ana Stadium. Carloads of Centennial students also will be making the trip down Highway 91. Nearly 7,000 tickets had been sold for the game by Wednesday afternoon.

"This is what high school football is all about," Centennial linebacker Vontaze Burfict said. "People are still doubting us. They say we're going to lose, but we're going to surprise a lot of people. On Thursday night, they'll see."

Reach Jeff Eisenberg at 951-368-9357 or at jeisenberg@PE.com.