The highly anticipated football season has kicked off in California, but today’s scheduled game between the Mater Dei Monarchs and the Bishop Montgomery Knights has been canceled. The game was set for Friday, August 29, 2025, at 7 p.m. PT, but Bishop Montgomery High School informed Mater Dei that they are unable to field a team due to a lack of available players. This follows an on-field altercation in a previous game against a team from Hawaii, which resulted in suspensions and a lack of healthy players. The Mater Dei Monarchs, a perennial national powerhouse and the two-time defending national champions, are coming off a hard-fought 26-23 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas from Florida. This was to be a significant test for the Bishop Montgomery Knights, but they will now be forced to forfeit the game. While the cancellation is a disappointment for fans, it highlights the challenges of an intense season.

Here’s what you need to know:
What: High School Football
Who: Mater Dei Monarchs vs Bishop Montgomery Knights
When: Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, 7 p.m. PT (local)

Who Will Win This Matchup?

The Mater Dei Monarchs have been declared the winners of this matchup by forfeit. This comes after Bishop Montgomery High School was forced to cancel the game due to a lack of available players. The Knights had a difficult season opener, losing to St. Louis High School from Hawaii by a score of 34-27 in a game that was cut short due to an on-field altercation. This incident resulted in numerous player suspensions, making it unsafe for the Knights to field a team against the powerful Mater Dei Monarchs. The Monarchs, who are consistently ranked as the #1 team in the nation, are coming off a significant 26-23 victory over a strong opponent in St. Thomas Aquinas. While a victory by forfeit is not as satisfying as a win on the field, it is a testament to the Monarchs’ reputation and the challenges of facing a program of their caliber.

Team Records and History

Both the Mater Dei Monarchs and the Bishop Montgomery Knights have a history of success in California high school football, albeit on different scales. The Mater Dei Monarchs, from Santa Ana, California, are a national football dynasty. They have won six national titles in the past eight seasons and are considered one of the best high school football programs in the history of the sport. Their program has produced numerous NFL players and Heisman Trophy winners. The Bishop Montgomery Knights, from Torrance, California, have a respected history and have had competitive seasons, though their program has not achieved the same level of national dominance. The Knights had a difficult 2024 season, but their win against St. Bernard in 2024 showed promise. This matchup, if it had occurred, would have been a significant opportunity for the Knights to prove their program’s resilience.

Team Recent Results

This table provides a look at the most recent results for both the Mater Dei Monarchs and the Bishop Montgomery Knights from their 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Mater Dei Monarchs Recent Results

The Monarchs are coming off a big win to start their 2025 season. Here are some of their recent game scores:

Bishop Montgomery Knights Recent Results

The Knights are coming off a season-opening loss in 2025. Here are some of their most recent scores:

Mater Dei Monarchs Upcoming Games Schedule

Following the cancellation of their game against Bishop Montgomery, the Mater Dei Monarchs will look to continue their season with a challenging slate of games.

Bishop Montgomery Knights Upcoming Games Schedule

After their game against Mater Dei was canceled, the Bishop Montgomery Knights will look to bounce back in their next game.