Moments of greatness often define careers and sometimes entire programs. For Mater Dei’s their highly touted Oregon Ducks commit, this season was legendary. As the Monarchs bulldozed their way to a 13-0 record, an Open Division state championship, and the No. 1 national ranking, this senior bulldozer power back himself stood at the heart of it all for Raul Lara. With every snap, every bruising run, and every touchdown, he cemented his place as a player who will be remembered long after the Friday night lights dim.

And the Monarchs’ year 1 head coach, Raul Lara, stood there watching like a proud dad. When MaxPreps announced his senior RB Jordon Davison as the 2024 California High School Football Player of the Year, there wasn’t much surprise. His 1,233 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns didn’t just tell the story of a dominant senior season, his stats spoke of a leader who could carry a team on his back when it mattered most. The Frank McManus replacement was let go after one season. Raul Lara has inherited the reins of Mater Dei. The 18-year-old is everything a coach could ask for. “Let’s go!!! Congrats, Jordan!!!” the proud coach wrote in an Instagram story, sharing the MaxPreps announcement with the kind of pride that only a coach who’s seen hard work firsthand could express.

It’s not just the stats that make Davison stand out. At 6-foot, 205 pounds, he’s a physical specimen—a power back who looks more like a wrecking ball when he’s coming through the line. Oregon’s Dan Lanning knew what he was doing when he locked in this 4-star recruit back in September. But beyond the physicality is the heart of a champion. In Mater Dei’s 37-15 dismantling of De La Salle in the CIF Open Division championship, it was Davison’s steady presence that fueled the Monarchs’ dominant performance. Lara, reflecting on the game, said, “That was a good, long drive when we needed it most. The kids did a fantastic job in that situation.”

For the HC, who spent years building Long Beach Poly into a powerhouse before taking over Mater Dei, this season must have felt like a full-circle moment. Two decades ago, De La Salle rattled his Long Beach Poly teams with their veer offense in back-to-back years. Now, in his first year at Mater Dei, he got his redemption. And at the center of that redemption story was Davison, whose poise and power made the difference in critical moments. Lara knew he could rely on Davison to seize the momentum when the Monarchs needed it most.

Coach Raul Lara and his Ducks signee flexed their muscles

In a thrilling 37-15 victory over No. 21 Spartans in the state championship, the Monarchs showed up and showed out, with Jordon Davison leading the charge. The running back carried the ball 17 times for 107 yards and punched in two touchdowns, helping secure the win in the fourth quarter. This was Mater Dei’s eighth win of the season against a nationally ranked opponent—a true testament to their dominance.

Coach Lara had some serious respect for De La Salle’s program, admitting, “I was concerned as soon as I heard we were going to play De La Salle. It’s not revenge for me because I have so much admiration for Bob and the success he had. Now Justin’s bringing that back—and I’m not sure it ever really left!” Lara knew his team would be in for a fight, and De La Salle definitely delivered a tough challenge.

It was a senior’s show. Quarterback Dash Beierly had a spectacular night as well, completing 18 of 27 passes for a season-high 355 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Marcus Harris, who’s committed to Washington, made six grabs for 92 yards. With two crucial fourth-quarter touchdowns, Mater Dei pulled away.