SANTA CLAUS, CALIFORNIA – What is the best high school football team in America?

That question was answered convincingly on Friday evening.

No. 1 Mater Dei showed its defense in a convincing 31-15 win over No. 2 Bishop Gorman of Nevada at home before an estimated crowd of 7,500 in the Santa Ana Bowl.

Apparently Bishop Gorman can beat anyone except Mater Dei.

The Monarchs (2-0) have now won all four games in this series, including the last time the two powerhouse programs met in September 2022 in Las Vegas. The Monarchs won that game 24-21. It was the last time Bishop Gorman lost. Friday night’s loss snaps a 27-game winning streak for the Gaels.

Bishop Gorman (2-1) had just seven first downs in the first three quarters. Four came on the rush and three on penalties. Gorman didn’t get a first down on the pass until 8:08 into the final frame.

Mater Dei had six sacks and an interception in the game, while Bishop Gorman — which scored 62 points in its first two games — was held to fewer than 200 total yards (84 rushing; 68 passing). Gorman had just 11 first downs.

LSU commit Derek Meadows, a 5-star wide receiver, had just one catch for nine yards.

Mater Dei quarterback Dash Beierly finished with 100 yards passing on 13 of 15 passing and a touchdown with 61 yards rushing on seven rushes. It’s clear he’s settling into his role as QB 1 for the Monarchs after transferring from Temecula Chaparral.

“The bye week really helped,” Beierly said. “I’m just working on connecting with my receivers better after that first game against Centennial. I think I was able to shake off some of the rust and play with confidence.”

Beierly, a Washington player, completed his first seven passes of the game.

“Dash is playing at a different level now (at Mater Dei),” Mater Dei coach Raul Lara said. “He just needs that consistent level of play. He was great tonight.”

Oregon-bound running back Jordon Davison had 90 yards on 19 rushes and two touchdowns. Wideout Kayden Dixon-Wyatt led the Monarchs in receiving with six catches for 58 yards.

Beierly completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Chris Henry Jr. in the back corner of the end zone to make it 14-0 after Davison drove in a 1-yard touchdown on the Monarchs’ opening drive. Gorman’s Maika Eugenio connected with Anthony Hickman on a 4-yard TD pass to give the Gaels a sign of life and cut the Monarchs’ lead to 14-7 at the break.

Davison then scored on Mater Dei’s opening drive of the second half on a 23-yard touchdown run to give the Monarchs a 21-7 lead. An interception by C.J. Lavender Jr. put Mater Dei up 31-7 after Trenton Dunn hit a 24-yard touchdown run.

Eugenio threw his second touchdown of the night to Brandon Gaea with 1:16 left, but it was futile.