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COSTA MESA — Mater Dei and Orange Lutheran opened their Trinity League football seasons Friday with opportunities to answer pressing questions and showcase recently-cleared transfers.
Could the Monarchs build on the progress they showed against national power Bishop Gorman of Nevada?
How would Orange Lutheran look with not only running back Sean Morris II eligible but freshman quarterback Ezrah Brown in the starting lineup?
Mater Dei delivered a strong answer in the fourth quarter. The Monarchs scored two touchdowns, including one after blocking a punt, to collect a 25-10 victory at Orange Coast College.
Mater Dei running back Malachi Roby runs into the end zone for the score against Orange Lutheran in a Trinity League football game in Costa Mesa on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer) Mater Dei running back Malachi Roby celebrates his touchdown against Orange Lutheran in a Trinity League football game in Costa Mesa on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer) Orange Lutheran quarterback Reagan Toki finds a big opening in the Mater Dei defense for a big gain in a Trinity League football game in Costa Mesa on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer) Orange Lutheran wide receiver Chris Flores Jr, right, is not able to get is hands on a pass near the goal as Mater Dei defensive back Pat Hall covers in a Trinity League football game in Costa Mesa on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer) Mater Dei defensive back Danny Lang picks off a pass intended for Orange Lutheran wide receiver Markus Kier (0) in a Trinity League football game in Costa Mesa on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer) Show Caption1 of 5Mater Dei running back Malachi Roby runs into the end zone for the score against Orange Lutheran in a Trinity League football game in Costa Mesa on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer) ExpandMater Dei (4-1, 1-0), ranked No. 1 in Orange County and sixth in the nation by MaxPreps, took a 17-3 lead on the second play of the fourth quarter on a 28-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Asir Nembhard.
Nembhard scored on his first varsity carry on a drive sparked by Mark Bowman’s carries at Wildcat.
After Mater Dei freshman Viliami Sisifa blocked a punt from the Orange Lutheran 34, Ryan Hopkins tossed a 28-yard touchdown to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, who made a spectacular leaping catch for a 23-3 lead with 8:52 left.
Kennie Leggett ran in the 2-point conversion.
Speedy linebacker DJ Clanton had two sacks to help lead Mater Dei’s defense.
Orange Lutheran (3-3, 0-1), ranked No. 4 in the county and 33rd in the nation, scored its lone touchdown with 2:30 left in the fourth as Brown threw a 12-yard strike to Nico Bland.
Mater Dei led 7-3 at halftime after Orange Lutheran’s Aiden Migirdichian kicked a 21-yard field goal on the final play.
Orange Lutheran capitalized after its defense held on a fourth-and-2 from the Lancers 30.
Orange Lutheran quarterback Reagan Toki led the scoring drive after replacing Brown in the second quarter.
Lancers coach Rod Sherman said Brown — the brother of former Mater Dei standout Elijah Brown — started after Toki was limited in practice due to injury.
Mater Dei’s drive stalled after it received ab interception by sophomore cornerback Troy Bishop on a trick play by Orange Lutheran.
The Lancers reached the Mater Dei 36 when Morris handed the ball to wide receiver Chris Flores on a reverse. But Bishop grabbed the interception on a deflection near his 5 and returned the ball 46 yards.
Orange Lutheran’s defense also forced a turnover in the late in the first quarter to prevent a fast start by Mater Dei.
With the Monarchs at the Lancers 7, defensive end Ariez Leomiti forced a fumble that defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou recovered.
Leomiti and Morris are both transfers who observed the sitout period and became eligible this week.
Mater Dei drove 75 yards on five plays on its second possession for a 4-yard touchdown run by Malachi Roby. Gavin Honore sparked the scoring march with a 58-yard reception from Ryan Hopkins.
Next week, Mater Dei plays host to county No. 3 Santa Margarita in Oct. 10 at Santa Ana Stadium. Orange Lutheran plays host to St. John Bosco at Orange Coast College on the same day.
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