It’s the California system:Team A gets it on Team B’s 25. First downs can be attained. If Team A scores — FG, TD, PATs, etc. — Team B then has to match or surpass those accumulated points when Team B gets the ball on Team A’s 25.

A long pass, intercepted by MD’s Lapchak at the MD 6, where he is tackled.MD ball there, 1:20 to go … and the Monarchs run it on first down.There must be OT in the works for this one … coaches have the option of selecting OT, but both have to agree to it.

Mater Dei is called for illegal procedure — I think the center might have moved the ball just a tad. That looked like a play on which MD hoped it could draw Carson offsides, but that did not work.MD punted. Carson ball at the Carson 45, 2:03 to go — but Carson has no time outs.

I am going to second guess Mater Dei’s reluctance to get its running game going.The Monarchs threw on first and second downs — both incompletions — leaving them with few options on third down.So a screen over the middle on third-and-10 gives them fourth and 1 at their 20 — and they called a time out to consider their options with 2:09 to go.Do they go for it on fourth and 1 at their 20?

… but there is a bad snap, and the holder has to run for it but is tackled at the Mater Dei 16, short of the first down.As stated, big plays are there for the taking in high school football.

On third and long, he just made a great leaping catch for a first down at the Mater Dei 23.He is a heck of a tight end for Carson, and on his way to USC.

With Carson deep in its own territory, QB Torres was hit, by MD’s Stephen Lapchak, before releasing the ball and Conrad Taverez recovered for Mater Dei.But on MD’s first play, Barkley threw his third INT. This one was picked off in the end zone by Carson’s Chris Hill.Momentum is rarely faithful.

He is 12 for 23 for 272 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.On those two INTs, he was hit upon release on one and the ball went through a receiver’s outstretched hands on the other. Nothing against the receiver — you’re trying to catch a missile on some of those throws.

Barkley was given a lot of time, and did some skipping around in the pocket to buy a little more time, then zipped the ball up the middle to Winston at the back of the end zone.The PAT is good by kicker Zack Chocek, so it is tied, 34-34, with 10:38 to go in the game.

Mater Dei takes the punt, and has first down at the Carson 30.

Carson leads, 34-27.With TV timeouts supplying the needed break, I will be able to go to a Subway I saw on Carson Ave. on my way over here, order that Italian BMT on wheat (no onions or peppers) and get back in time for the start of the fourth quarter.Before I go, I suggest that MD goes for the block on this punt.

… but a mistake, and potentially a significant one, for Carson.On a Mater Dei punt, the returner muffed the ball, and had to chase it before picking it up at the Carson 1 wyere he was swarmed by Mater Dei tacklers.Points and big plays are there for the taking on special teams in high school football  … and if I am Mater Dei, the next time Carson punts, I have my guys going full-throttle for the bloc.