FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The 2025 high school football season kicks off with a monumental bang as two of the nation’s most storied and dominant programs, the Mater Dei Monarchs of Santa Ana, California, and the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are set to collide in a non-conference game for the ages. This highly anticipated matchup is scheduled for Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 3:30 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

Game Information & How to Be There

This historic matchup is expected to draw a massive crowd. Fans are strongly encouraged to secure their tickets in advance to guarantee a seat for what promises to be an unforgettable football experience.

• Who: Mater Dei Monarchs vs. St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders

• What: Varsity Football Season Opener

• When: Saturday, August 23, 2025. Kickoff at 3:30 PM EST.

• Where: Brian Piccolo Stadium, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

• Live Stream: demand at NFHS Network!

This isn’t just another season opener; it’s a rare cross-country showdown that will immediately shape the national championship landscape. When the Monarchs and Raiders take the field, it represents a battle between two dynasties, two cultures of excellence, and two programs consistently ranked at the very apex of high school football.

A Preview of Prestige: The Programs

Mater Dei Monarchs (Santa Ana, CA): Hailing from the powerhouse Trinity League, the Monarchs are a perennial national title contender. Known for producing a relentless stream of NCAA Division I talent and NFL stars, Mater Dei embodies West Coast football at its most potent. Their high-octane offense and disciplined defense are tested weekly in what many consider the country’s toughest high school football conference. Every game for Mater Dei is a national event, and this trip to Florida is no exception.

St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (Fort Lauderdale, FL): A titan of Florida football and a fixture in national rankings, STA is the standard-bearer for gridiron excellence in the Sunshine State. The Raiders’ trophy case is overflowing with state championships, and their alumni network spans the entire college football and NFL landscape. Playing on their home turf at Brian Piccolo Stadium, the Raiders will look to defend their house with the trademark speed, physicality, and depth that have become their hallmark.

What’s at Stake

While officially a non-conference game, the implications are enormous.

• National Ranking: The winner will seize an early-season claim to the nation’s No. 1 ranking and carry that momentum through the rest of the year.

• Program Bragging Rights: In an era of national schedules, this game is about more than a win; it’s about establishing supremacy between two blue-blood programs from opposite coasts.

• Statement Making: For the players, it’s a chance to make a statement on a national stage against the best competition possible, in front of a host of college scouts and a national audience.

Fans unable to attend in person can follow every thrilling play through live Scoretracker updates and join the conversation in the dedicated Fan Chat for real-time reaction and analysis.

Mark your calendars. Clear your schedules. This is more than a game—it’s a national event. Two dynasties, one field. Don’t miss a moment of the action as Mater Dei and St. Thomas Aquinas write the first, and perhaps most important, chapter of the 2025 season.