This Saturday, the bright lights of national television will shine on Brian Piccolo Stadium in Fort Lauderdale as the top-ranked Mater Dei Monarchs clash with the No. 14 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders. This interstate showdown promises a battle of blue-chip talent and contrasting styles, as California’s reigning champions venture into the heart of Florida high […]
This Saturday, the bright lights of national television will shine on Brian Piccolo Stadium in Fort Lauderdale as the top-ranked Mater Dei Monarchs clash with the No. 14 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders. This interstate showdown promises a battle of blue-chip talent and contrasting styles, as California’s reigning champions venture into the heart of Florida high school football royalty.
Mater Dei, fresh off an undefeated season and a CIF Open Division state title, brings its high-powered offense and stifling defense to the Sunshine State. Led by five-star playmakers Mark Bowman and Chris Henry, Jr., the Monarchs are determined to prove their No. 1 ranking is well-deserved.
St. Thomas Aquinas, a program steeped in tradition with 16 Florida state championships to its name, will be no pushover. Boasting their own impressive array of college-bound stars, including five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews and four-star cornerback Justice Fitzpatrick, the Raiders are eager to test their mettle against the nation’s best and defend their home turf.
Monarchs to Watch
TE Mark Bowman: The 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end is the No. 15 overall prospect and No. 1 tight end in the senior class according to the Rivals Industry Rankings, an equally weighted formula that utilizes the three major recruiting services. Bowman caught 31 passes for 427 yards and eight touchdowns last fall. He committed to USC in May.
WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt: The future Ohio State Buckeye caught 50 passes for 693 yards and five touchdowns as a junior in 2024. Dixon-Wyatt ranks as the No. 111 overall prospect and No. 13 wide receiver in the 2026 class.
OT Kodi Greene: The four-star prospect helped pave the way for a Mater Dei offense last year that generated more than 4,300 yards of total offense. Greene committed to Washington in April.
WR Chris Henry, Jr.: Perhaps the most intriguing player on this list, Henry missed the second half of his junior season due to a knee injury. Henry is rated by the Rivals Industry Rankings as a five-star prospect and the No. 20 overall prospect in the senior class. He committed to Ohio State more than two years ago.
DL Tomuhini Topui: The 6-foot-3, 320-pounds was a defensive force the Monarchs last season, logging 42 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Topui ranks as the No. 145 overall prospect and No. 17 defensive lineman in the 2026 class. He committed to USC in April.
Raiders to Watch
CB Justice Fitzpatrick: The younger brother of current NFL standout Minkah Fitzpatrick, Justice logged 34 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions as a junior. He is rated as a four-star prospect and checks in at No. 48 overall in the Rivals Industry Rankings. Fitzpatrick committed to Georgia in June.
S Zayden Gamble: The four-star prospect is ranked as the No. 173 overall prospect and No. 17 safety in the Rivals Industry Rankings. Gamble holds a host of offers from power programs, including Florida, Miami, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
WR Julius Jones: The 5-foot-11, 160-pound junior is entering his third year starting for the Raiders. Last year, as a sophomore, Jones caught 51 passes for 750 yards and six touchdowns. He holds dozens of power conference offers from programs such as Florida, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oregon.
OT Mark Matthews: The highest-ranked prospect on the field will be playing for the home team, as Matthews is No. 6 overall in the Rivals Industry Rankings for the junior class. Matthews is the anchor of the St. Thomas Aquinas offensive line at 6-foot-5, 300-pounds.
EDGE Daniel Norman: The future Oklahoma Sooner logged 30 tackles and seven sacks as a junior last season for the Raiders. Norman is ranked as the No. 48 edge prospect in the senior class by the Rivals Industry Rankings.
How to Watch the Mater Dei Monarchs vs. St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders Football Game
Date: Saturday, August 23
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Brian Piccolo Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
TV Channel: ESPN
Where to Watch the Mater Dei Monarchs vs. St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders Football Game on TV:
You can watch the Mater Dei Monarchs take on the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders starting at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
How to Follow the Mater Dei Monarchs vs. St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders Football Game
For high school football fans, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.
Category: General Sports
