Mater Dei vs. De La Salle: 71-Player Opponent Faces No.1 Team’s Practice Intensity Before California State Championship

It’s the showdown everyone has been waiting for, especially the unbeaten Mater Dei Monarchs, who takes on the De La Salle Spartans in the CIF Open Division state championship. It’s almost snatching the Monarchs’ good night’s sleep away. The odds couldn’t be steeper. On paper, it’s a David vs. Goliath scenario, except this Goliath comes with a No. 1 national ranking, 12 wins, and a roster so stacked it could rival some college teams. But as history has shown us, the underdog sometimes writes the story no one saw coming.

If you think Mater Dei is resting on its laurels, think again. Their latest Instagram story, captioned “Still working…”, is a testament to their relentless pursuit of perfection. In the clip, Raul Lara’s squad is seen grinding through practice long after when even the sun said, “Alright I’m about to go down now”. While most teams might be winding down, the Monarchs are turning up the intensity. That’s the difference between good and great, preparing as if it’s their last. De La Salle’s head coach, Justin Alumbaugh, knows what they’re up against. “There’s no denying how good they are,” he admitted, summing up the monumental task ahead.

Mater Dei boasts a 75-player roster teeming with Division I talent, while De La Salle counters with 71 players of their own. But numbers don’t tell the full story. The Spartans are coming in as massive underdogs, with CalPreps.com projecting a 44-3 Mater Dei victory. It’s a spread that feels almost insulting to a team with its own undefeated season. Yet, as former Canyon Country Canyon coach Harry Welch—who engineered a legendary upset against De La Salle in 2006—once said, “I was more focused on us than De La Salle.” That focus helped Canyon pull off a 27-13 shocker, proving that no giant is invincible.

De La Salle’s preparation, however, will need to be meticulous. Mater Dei’s 12-0 record is like a warning. The Monarchs have been dismantling opponents all season with clinical precision. Raul Lara has instilled a culture where every rep, every drill, and every practice session counts. His players are buying in, and their Instagram story speaks volumes about their mindset. While other teams might rely on talent alone, Mater Dei couples it with hard work, which means this Goliath refuses to sleep as well. Ugh!

For the team named after the mythical Greek soldiers to have a shot, they’ll need to channel the spirit of past underdog victories. Coach Justin Alumbaugh has likely pored over tape, looking for even the smallest chinks in Mater Dei’s armor. The Spartans will need to match the Monarchs’ intensity from the opening whistle. A slow start—like the one Mater Dei capitalized on in previous games—could spell doom. As Welch advised, “Stay focused on what you can control.” That’s easier said than done against a team like Mater Dei.

Legends, Legacy, and Maybe an Upset? Justin Alumbaugh might be ready

De La Salle hasn’t seen game action since their gritty 10-7 win over Pittsburg in a rain-soaked battle back on Nov. 22. That’s three full weeks of prep time, and you better believe the Spartans have been making the most of it. With a lineman committed to Oregon, a lightning-quick quarterback who could dominate a 100-meter dash, and a running back who just so happens to be the son of former NFL star Maurice Jones-Drew, this team isn’t showing up to play second fiddle.

Mater Dei coach Raul Lara knows all about De La Salle’s rich history. Back in 2001, as the head coach of Long Beach Poly, he faced the Spartans and lost 29-15 in a game where, ironically, Maurice Jones-Drew himself was the one breaking hearts on the field. This game could go as expected, Lara might think, or it could deliver one of those magical sports moments.

But the green Spartans don’t want to leave anything to chance. They are even bringing legendary former coach Bob Ladouceur to join him on the sideline. The Spartans’ camp might even throw in a movie night with some classic underdog tales like “Remembering the Titans” is one. “Hoosiers” is another.”