High school football opens with Week 0 games and clear storylines across the Southland. Mater Dei and St. John Bosco have dominated Southern Section Division 1 since 2016, with only 2021 seeing a different finalist; both teams boast oversized, deep offensive and defensive lines that are difficult to overcome in the transfer era. The two programs meet on Halloween and will likely clash again for the section crown. The City Section is wide open after Narbonne's collapse, with Birmingham/Patriots, Carson, San Pedro and Palisades in contention. The defensive line is the region's strongest position, with multiple elite linemen expected to generate sacks and turnovers. Compton has a new campus and stadium and is poised for a turnaround after a 3-7 season, with a coaching change including former L.A. Jordan coach Derek Bent.
What will it take for a team other than Mater Dei or St. John Bosco to reach the Southern Section Division 1 final? The answer is luck, because it's not happening. Every season since 2016, the Monarchs or Braves have won the Southern Section Division 1 title and have met in the finals every season except for 2021, when Servite, led by its two future first-round draft picks, Mason Graham and Teteroia McMillan, beat St. John Bosco in the semifinals.
What will life be like in the City Section after the collapse of Narbonne for rules violations? It's back to beating Birmingham if you want to win the City Section Open Division title. The Patriots had their 48-game City winning streak end with a loss to Narbonne but that was turned into a forfeit victory, so the streak is at 49.
#southern-section-division-1 #mater-dei-vs-st-john-bosco #city-section-open-division #defensive-line #compton-turnaround
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