MATER DEI VS SERVITE FACEOFF Mater Dei and Servite compete for the sixtieth time, continuing the long tradition of their rivalry. Both teams are excited to play each other ever since Mater Dei defeated them last year with a score of 48-17. (Photo taken by Dominique Marchand ‘23)

Dating back to the 1960s, Mater Dei and Servite’s rivalry has shaped not only the culture of both schools, but the culture of high school football as a whole. The two Orange County schools have been competing every year since 1961, earning the status of greatest rivalry in So Cal. Mater Dei ultimately owns the rivalry, having a 41-17 advantage over Servite. In other words, Mater Dei has beat Servite 41 times, while Servite has beat Mater Dei only 17 times.  Although Servite struggles in this feud today, there was a point in 1988 where they ruled the rivalry with a 14-4 advantage. 

In 1989, Coach Bruce Rollinson ‘67 was named head coach for the Monarchs’ Varsity Team. Under his guidance Mater Dei gained a significant advantage over their long-time rival for decades. Now nearly 35 years later, both of the schools’ football programs have seen changes. But has the rivalry changed at all? 

One of the most notable changes is the retirement of Coach Rollinson and the naming of Frank McManus in his place as head coach. This is McManus’s first season as the Mater Dei Varsity Head Coach, and he believes that the rivalry plays a big part in the team’s culture, and has a major influence on players, fans, and coaches. 

“It’s been a long time. [The] rivalry started back in the late 50s and 60s with Coach Rollinson. It’s continued over the years. It’s a game that everyone gets up for,” McManus said. “As [for] the fans and the communities of each school, [the games are] very heated and very energetic.”

This rivalry has given both schools a culture of competition and school spirit. Mater Dei and Servite have both created iconic traditions to celebrate the rivalry between the two schools. The competitiveness fosters a sense of pride in both schools as they represent their schools during the big game. 

“It keeps things exciting, and then it makes people really want to watch games and especially when you can see the competitiveness between both teams,” senior and Varsity Football Manager Aiga Pula said.

Mater Dei usually celebrates the rivalry with a “Beat Servite” rally to excite the student body before the game. Similarly, Servite has the tradition of gathering in their parking lot before the game, and destroying an old car each year. Mater Dei has gone as far as rarely using black on school merchandise as it is Servite’s signature color.

“We can’t really wear black on campus,” senior and Varsity Football Manager Celezte Gutierrez-Tajalle said. “It gets very competitive to a point where [students] can’t wear anything black.”

Mater Dei has recently acquired a new arch rival, St. John Bosco, currently ranked second best for football in California. The two schools competed last year in a series of games for the top spot. In 2022, Bosco briefly replaced Mater Dei as the number one school for football in California after an intense game at the Rose Bowl. Since then, Mater Dei has won back the esteemed title, so it comes as no surprise there is still lingering competition. Many believe that Bosco could be replacing Servite as Mater Dei’s main competitor. 

Sophomore varsity football player, Tomuhini Topui shares his thoughts on the up-and-coming rivalry between St. John Bosco and Mater Dei, along with the feeling he gets while playing against them. He gives us insight on how it affects the spirit of the game.

“I think the real rivalry we have right now, [is] between us and Bosco,” Topui said. “Over [the last] couple of years we’ve been playing them, [Mater Dei Football] works harder than any other team.”

Topui is confident in his teammates and believes that this year will have a larger impact and a different ending than last year. This year we have a new class of freshmen that perform amazing which will lift our advantage in taking the victory home. 

“We had the momentum going last year, it’s just we couldn’t finish,” Topui said. “But this year, it’s going to be different.”

The rivalry between St.John Bosco and Mater Dei is here and it’s more competitive than ever. All of our athletes have true dedication on the field and they’re ready to conquer any challenge that is put in front of them. This year, we’ll see if Servite will rise back up or not whilst we look at the competition between Bosco and Mater Dei. We all wish Honor, Glory, and Love over our team, and to end the season with exciting memories and victories to be proud of.