Sometimes, the stars align, and magic happens. That’s exactly what happened to Raul Lara and his Mater Dei team. They pulled off a miracle, beating Da La Salle in the CIF Championship. And nobody saw this coming! It marked the pinnacle of Lara’s inaugural season as a leader, where he faced every obstacle with unwavering determination and resilience. However, beyond the realm of the game, the Mater Dei HC found himself in awe, crossing paths with some of the sport’s legendary figures. As he contemplates this momentous occasion, one can’t help but ponder how these encounters will shape the upcoming chapter of his journey. The future holds limitless possibilities.

Now victory calls for celebration, but for coach Raul Lara, it started way before the actual showdown as he finally got some time out to relive his old days with his friends whom he met before the game. Reflecting on the rollercoaster of emotions, coach Lara shared a heartwarming story. “During yesterday’s pregame warm-ups, I had the privilege to speak with Bob Ladouceur, Terry Eidson, and current head coach Justin Alumbaugh! I haven’t seen Bob and Terry since 2002! Brought back many memories, especially the conversations I had with Bob! It was awesome seeing you guys!!!” he said. That sure sounds like a happy start to Mater Dei’s long-awaited victory.

Well, if you don’t know, Bob Ladouceur coached the Spartans when he was just 25 years old and took them to enormous heights. Before he arrived, the team hadn’t won a championship. But in his very first season, he led them to victory. Even Terry Eidson coached their special teams as defensive coordinator and had a great impact on the team. Moreover, both Bob and Terry have coached together for 32 years at De La Salle, creating a long-lasting impact on them.

Raul Lara also had conversations with the current head coach of the Spartans, Justin Alumbaugh, under whom the Spartans not just shined brighter but also racked up huge championship wins with a remarkable record of 113-16 in 10 seasons. It shows the kind of bond they all share: side chatter filled with emotions.

Moreover, Mater Dei’s win against De La Salle proved the kind of hold coach Raul Lara has over his coaching techniques, which is undoubtedly doing wonders for the team. Every player was in his best form; their starting quarterback, Dash Beierly, threw two touchdowns and completed 10 out of 15 passes for 250 yards. Even though the Spartans tried to break in the second half, Mater Dei’s strong formation didn’t let that happen. It’s a team effort, but a team that is led by Raul Lara.

Raul Lara taking up Mater Dei to new heights

Well, it was a smacking win against their rivals, the St. John Bosco Braves, and Raul Lara’s team secured victory in one of the biggest playoff games this season with a score of 31-24. Moreover, it’s a well-deserved win for Mater Dei, as they are one of the undefeated teams entering the playoffs, which adds up to why it’s the No. 1 team in the country. The surprising fact is the Braves have already lost 10 of their 15 matchups against the Monarchs. Now losing another is not something new for them.

The playoff game between the two teams was fiercely competitive, with the championship at stake, but sadly, the dream ended for the Bosco Braves. But for Raul Lara’s team, it’s a ring of happy bells as they also secured a win against the De La Salle Spartans in the CIF Open Division title game. And no one can be more overwhelmed than Coach Lara, as it’s his first season with the team. Well, they are already outshining the others.

Mater Dei’s dominance in high school athletics over the past decade is well-known, marked by consistently strong seasons and exceptional player talent. Their impressive track record reflects their commitment to excellence. Plus, the team already has four state titles to their name in the span of seven years. An interesting fact is that two of them were against the Spartans, and now after their victory, it’s three. Now it’s time for them to shine brighter under Coach Raul Lara’s supervision and finally take the title home again.