Football | 8/18/2023 8:14:00 AM

The following is an excerpt from The San Diego Union Tribune article, "QB Jack Stevens shines as Cathedral Catholic picks apart Mater Dei Catholic in playoff rematch."

To anyone who would lend an ear this summer, Cathedral Catholic High School coach Sean Doyle, who prefers his offense travel by ground, would sing the praises of senior quarterback Jack Stevens.

"The most accurate quarterback in the section," said Doyle.

As accurate as Carlsbad's pinpoint Julian Sayin, an Alabama commit?

"Just as accurate," insisted Doyle.

On the first full night of the 2023 high school football season, Stevens put on a show backing his coach's praise. The 6-foot-1, 194-pound quarterback completed 9 of 13 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns as seventh-ranked Cathedral routed second-ranked Mater Dei Catholic 55-14 on the Dons' home field.

In the first half alone, when the Dons raced to a 35-7 lead, Stevens was 8 of 12 for 185 yards and the three scores. He attempted only one pass in the third quarter and didn't pay in the fourth quarter, when there was a running clock.

"He's good," said Doyle. "He's really good. The thing about him is he's an incredible competitor. There's guys that have that, and he's that guy that has it."

Stevens' touchdown passes covered 27 yards to Ty Cortes, 40 yards to Anthony Taylor and 18 yards to Charlie Abts.

Blessed with quick feet, Stevens darted off when he didn't see anyone open, rushing for 83 yards on seven carries.

"He's fast," said Doyle. "And he's smart. He didn't try to be a hero, cut it back and take a big hit. He went out of bounds to live another day."


Cathedral Catholic Quarterback Jack Stevens throws for a completion in Friday's win. (Josh DaFoe/Josh DaFoe for the SDUT) 

For the Dons, motivation was no problem in the offseason. All Doyle had to do was remind his team of its 2022 record: 6-6. For a program that won three state titles and 11 section championships in Doyle's first 27 seasons as head coach, the record gave the team plenty of motivation for 6 a.m. weightlifting sessions.

"Every day," said Doyle when asked how often the team thought about the 6-6 record. "Every day. They know our program doesn't settle for 6-6. They're a little angry."

The season opener was a rematch of last year's Division I semifinals, won by Mater Dei by a score of 14-9. Friday night, the Dons wasted no time taking control. On the fourth play from scrimmage, Cathedral's Cade Smith crashed through Mater Dei's line and blocked a punt.

In a mad dash to the end zone, the Dons' Jonathan Solomon recovered the ball for a touchdown. The game was all of 40 seconds old.

Stevens' touchdown strike to Cortes pumped the lead to 13-0. Mater Dei's Anthony McMillian scored from 1 yard out late in the first quarter, and it looked like the Crusaders might make it a game.

Continue to The San Diego Union Tribune to read the rest of the article.