Mater Dei rebounds after a shocking loss

In what coach Lara calls a 'resurrection,' the Monarchs bounce back nicely in victory over Bishop Gorman

- BY ERIC SONDHEIMER

MATER DEI tight end Mark Bowman (19), shown here reveling with Marcus Harris in a 2023 game, had two touchdown catches Friday.

In a town where you can make your own luck or you can sink further into an abyss, Mater Dei High dug deep, wiped away memories from a loss last week and answered a gutcheck call to come away with a 27-24 road victory over Bishop Gorman on Friday night. Coach Raul Lara brought up the word "resurrection" during a postgame huddle with his players.

The win surely resurrects Mater Dei's season. It was doom and gloom one week ago when the Monarchs fell behind 28-0 to Corona Centennial, then rallied but lost 43-36. Seven turnovers left everyone wondering if the Monarchs were no longer a top team after being ranked No. 1 in the nation by several organizations.

Friday's performance against an unbeaten Bishop Gorman team saw Mater Dei turn to two of its preseason All-Americans on offense, tight end Mark Bowman and receiver Chris Henry Jr. Bowman had touchdown catches of 29 and 36 yards and finished with five catches for 105 yards. Henry had the game-winning touchdown catch from 37 yards with 6:06 left and finished with six receptions for 116 yards.