The varsity football team have managed to get off to a fast start this season with a record of 5-0, and they are likely to continue winning through the remainder of the season.

The Monarchs is currently ranked by Max Preps as the No. 1 high school team in the nation. The team has particularly gained more recognition this season than in the past after defeating the Bishop Gorman Gaels 35-21 Sept. 1. Prior to playing Mater Dei, Gorman was on a 55-game winning streak, which was the second highest winning streak at the time in high school football.

Considering that Gorman might be one of the best teams they play all year on the schedule, there is a strong case for the Monarchs to go toe-to-toe with St. John Bosco Braves on Oct. 13. This matchup consist of two squads with rich tradition and success. The Braves will be the Monarchs’ biggest challenge going forward in the regular season.

“The Gorman win was huge for us, and we need to take this win and use it as momentum going forward,” junior tight end Michael Martinez said. “Bosco will definitely be our toughest competition in league play. They are a very talented team, and they always play their best against us.”

In addition, the team’s confidence and high level of morale is one of the reasons to believe that this year’s Monarchs will go undefeated this season.

“It is not a lot of pressure being the No. 1 team in the nation because we continue to do what we do and work hard,” junior linebacker and fullback Syrr Barnes said. “We don’t acknowledge the accolades until the end.”

With such momentum, it is also possible that this could be the year where the Monarchs find themselves acquiring their first CIF Title since 1999 and even challenging for state.

“I feel like our chances to win CIF this year is very high,”  junior running back Glen Harper said. “There’s a lot of good teams we have to get through but I feel like they only ones that can beat us at this point is us. And if we win CIF we’ll for sure win state.”