The 2025 high school football season features a national powerhouse showdown as the Mater Dei Monarchs travel to Fort Lauderdale to face the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 3:30 PM. This non-conference clash at St. Thomas Aquinas High School brings together two of the most storied programs in the country in an early-season battle of Top 10 teams.
Game Details
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Matchup: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) vs St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
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Date & Time: Saturday, August 23, 2025 – 3:30 PM
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Location: St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Live Coverage: Follow live scores on MaxPreps
Fans can attend in person by purchasing digital tickets on GoFan or stream the action live on the NFHS Network (subscription: $13.99/month or $79.99/year).
Mater Dei Monarchs
Mater Dei enters the 2025 season once again as the nation’s top-ranked program. Ranked #1 nationally and #1 in California, the Monarchs have built a dynasty on speed, discipline, and unmatched depth. This opener will test their ability to perform on the road against one of Florida’s premier programs.
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2025 Record: 0-0 (season opener)
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Rankings: National #1 | California #1 | Section #1 | Division #1
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Strengths: Explosive offense, elite skill players, championship pedigree
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Key to Win: Establish tempo early and leverage their passing attack to stretch STA’s defense
St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders
St. Thomas Aquinas comes into this matchup as a perennial Florida powerhouse, ranked #10 nationally and #1 in Florida’s Class 4. Known for producing college-ready athletes year after year, the Raiders will lean on their defensive strength and physical ground game to challenge Mater Dei in front of a home crowd.
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2025 Record: 0-0 (season opener)
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Rankings: National #10 | Florida #4 | Class #1
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Strengths: Physical defense, strong run game, battle-tested roster
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Key to Win: Control possession and limit Mater Dei’s big plays on both sides of the ball
Rankings & Records
| Team | National Rank | State Rank | Class/Section Rank | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mater Dei | #1 | #1 (CA) | #1 Section / #1 Div | 0-0 |
| St. Thomas Aquinas | #10 | #4 (FL) | #1 Class | 0-0 |
