Mater Dei Prep, statistically wise, came out ahead when it competed for a football state title on Nov. 24 at MetLife Stadium, home of the National Football League’s New York Giants and New York Jets.
In the NJSIAA Non-Public, Group 3 championship playoff game, the Seraphs out gained Red Bank Catholic High School, 410-263, and picked up nine more first downs, 18-9.
Running back Malik Ingram was a force for Mater Dei when he amassed 250 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Despite the strong performance, Mater Dei lost to Red Bank Catholic, 14-10, falling short of its first Non-Public, Group 3 state title.
The Seraphs moved up to Group 3 for the 2018 season. They won the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 2 state title in 2016 and lost in the state championship game last year.
In 2016, Mater Dei beat Holy Spirit High School, 26-20, in the state group championship. Last year, Mater Dei lost to the Saint Joseph Regional School of Hammonton, 30-14, in the title game.
The 2018 season was another strong one for the program, which held its own against bigger schools in a higher classification. Mater Dei won the Shore Conference’s Patriot Division with a 5-0 record. The Seraphs finished 10-2 overall and outscored their opponents, 441-133.
They also upset second-seeded DePaul Catholic High School, 28-23, in the state playoff semifinals on Nov. 10.
Mater Dei had plenty of chances to pull off another upset in the championship game. It just couldn’t convert enough opportunities.
Penalties, six for 45 yards, derailed two firs-half drives. Three lost fumbles and an interception halted four other possessions. Finally, late in the fourth quarter, Mater Dei did not score after having first down and goal at the RBC nine.
Despite all that, Mater Dei only lost by four. Still, the Seraphs were understandably disappointed after the loss, hustling off the field and to the buses outside the stadium.
But they had every reason to be proud of their effort.
“The roster they’ve assembled is as advertised,” said Red Bank Catholic coach Frank Edgerly. “Ingram is a load. That’s the kind of guy you know, tackling over four quarters, that adds up on the defense. We did the best we could to get his shoulders going to the sideline. But his shoulders are square. He’s tough to tackle.”
The explosive running back finished the season with 1,914 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was only a junior in 2018, so he will be back next year.
A key two-way player, Clarence Lewis, will also be back. The wide receiver/defensive back scored six touchdowns on offense and three on defense this year.
On defense in 2019, Lewis will be joined by a couple fellow returning starters, Tahaj Parland and Dominick Giudice. Parland had 28 tackles, two interceptions and two touchdowns this fall. Giudice recorded 42 tackles, 10 sacks and a forced fumble.
Mater Dei should return enough talent to remain among the Group 3 elite.
