CHULA VISTACHULA VISTA — Everybody was celebrating, though nobody seemed to want to it it, but beating Catholic school rival St. Augustine was massive for Mater Dei Catholic.
The No. 4-ranked Crusaders got three touchdown es from junior quarterback Domonic Nankil to down the visiting Saints, 35-0, Friday night at Mater Dei Catholic High School.
“This is not a surprise, this is what is supposed to happen,” said Mater Dei coach John Joyner while addressing his team.
St. Augustine (1-5) beat the Crusaders the first eight times they met since they moved from Marian Catholic in 2006. It was the first time the parochial school rivals met since 2013.
“It wasn’t about who we played; they’re a very good team,” explained Joyner of his post-game comments, “it’s just that this is the way we’re supposed to play.”
Mater Dei (4-0) came into the game scoring over 50 points in each of its victories. But many thought the Saints, in the middle of a brutal schedule, would still be too much for the Crusaders to handle.
Nankil (18-of-37, 252 yards, 3 TDs) made that argument moot on his team’s second possession. His 45-yard bomb to Jerry McClure set up his 13-yard TD strike over the middle to Tre Edwards moments later.
“He’s a heck of a player,” said Joyner of his young QB. “We came into the game knowing they would play a two-high safety so we knew we could attack the middle.”
Mater Dei dominated possession in the second quarter. Nankil took them on a march of 69 yards in 17 plays, capped off when he zipped it over the middle for 20 yards to Chris Snyder with 3:06 left in the half.
The unheralded Crusaders defense inspired their next score. After holding the Saints to a three-and-out, punter Dominic Gross attempted to run around right end but DB Isahia Buxton was all over it. When Gross decided just to punt, Buxton blocked the punt and it fell into the arms of Jason Harden.
The senior battled his way for a 53-yard TD return and a 21-0 halftime lead.
Nankil ended any chance of a St. Augustine comeback when he hit Surahz Buncom on a bullet slant from 8 yards out with 5:49 left in the third quarter.
Senior Anthony McMillan powered in from 15 yards out with 11 seconds left in the third quarter to set up a running clock in the final stanza.
“It felt like just another game,” said the calm Nankil. “We practice hard, we were prepared, and it was homecoming.”
Defensively the Crusaders held the Saints running game, and Isaiah Pressley, to just 53 yards on 15 carries. Thirty-two of those yards came on one burst late in the third quarter.
“The defense was outstanding,” summed up Joyner. “We came out and tackled well and made the big plays.”
Farmer is a freelance writer.
Nonleague
Mater Dei Catholic 35, St. Augustine 0
St. Augustine 0 0 0 0 — 0
Mater Dei Catholic 7 14 14 0 — 35
MD — Edwards 13 from Nankil (Osuna kick)
MD — Snyder 20 from Nankil (Osuna kick)
MD — Harden 53 blocked punt return (Osuna kick)
MD — Buncom 8 from Nankil (Osuna kick)
MD — McMillan 15 run (Osuna kick)
