Xavier Prep Crushes Defending 4A Champion St. Mary's to improve to 5-0

The Xavier Prep Gators look unstoppable to start the season.

On Thursday night, Xavier Prep hosted the reigning 4A state champion St. Mary’s Knights and defended their home turf with an emphatic 47-0 win. 

From start to finish, it was all Xavier Prep as they got it done on both sides of the ball every snap. 

On just the second play of the game, Xavier Prep’s senior athlete Imani Campbell snagged an interception to set up her team near the goal line. 

It then only took three plays for them to find the end zone. Senior quarterback Ana Matuz found freshman wide receiver Evie Maas for a 3-yard touchdown. 

The Gators capped off the first quarter with another takeaway.

This time, the interception was caught by senior defensive back Ava Portillo, who seemingly came out of nowhere to snag it. She then returned the interception for a touchdown. 

At the beginning of the second quarter, Xavier Prep kept the pressure going. 

One of the first plays of the second quarter was an interception by senior linebacker Zoie Alexander. 

Then, on the offensive side, it only took them one play to capitalize on the turnover. Matuz found Campbell in the middle of the field, and Campbell did the rest and took it to the house for a 50-yard touchdown. 

Last season, Matuz was in her first year playing for Xavier Prep and even admitted she had some mental hurdles last season, but this season, she has taken a huge leap and is off to a hot start.

“I didn’t want to quit or do bad for my team, and I think that messed me up mentally,” Matuz said. “But now I want my comeback, my biggest comeback. Last year we didn’t make the playoffs, but so far this year we're 5-0. It feels great.” 

At the end of the first half, the Gators' defense did what they do best and got another interception.

Once again, it was Campbell making the play as her interception helped prevent St. Mary’s from putting up any points in the first half. 

The second half was almost identical to the first half for Xavier Prep and their dominance. 

Early in the third quarter, the Gators brought pressure, and it proved to work as senior rusher Isa Ady was able to get a sack that resulted in a safety. 

No matter what situation Xavier Prep was in, their defense always seemed to come through. 

Xavier Prep’s head coach, Matt Reum, speaks highly of his defensive unit that has only allowed 10 points all season thus far.

“This defense has a lot of talented athletes with very good instincts,” Reum said. “Their level of focus and aggressiveness when the ball’s in the air is something we coach. It’s something we’re proud of them for executing.” 

After the safety, the Gators were able to get another big-time touchdown to extend their already large lead. 

Once again, it was Matuz connecting with Campbell for the score, this time for a 70-yard touchdown. 

The Gators had the same attitude all four quarters, and that was shown as they did not let off the gas in the final 12 minutes. 

Xavier Prep was able to get its second pick-six of the night, this one coming from senior defensive back Cooper Hidalgo, who took the interception 30 yards to the end zone. 

Then, to cap off a remarkable night on the defensive side of the ball, Campbell got her third interception of the night for Xavier Prep. 

The cherry on top for Xavier Prep was a trick play that capped off their dominant performance. 

The trick play was a double pass play that saw Maas take a handoff and throw it to Matuz, who then through it 20 yards for a touchdown to, you guessed it, Campbell. 

A video game-type performance is the only way to describe the night Campbell had, but even after her remarkable performance, she gives all the credit to the team around her. 

“The bond I have with Ana is just so strong, it’s a big part of my success. Without Ana, I would not be having the success I have,” Campbell said. “On defense, we just have so many people, we just have so many girls that can go hard and go all out.”  

Xavier Prep is 5-0 to begin the year, already tying their total win total from their 2024 season. Reum is in his first year with the program and couldn’t be happier for the players on his roster. 

“It really speaks to the girls’ level of focus and desire,” Reum said regarding his team's hot start. “It’s a lot of the same faces from last year, so to see them come out and have this much success has been very fun to watch for those girls.”

Next up: 5-0 Xavier Prep will take on 2-2 Perry. 0-4 St. Mary’s will look to get their first win of the season as they take on 0-4 Coronado.