Big plays a big part of Mater Dei football’s victory over Sierra Canyon in Division 1 quarterfinals

SANTA ANA — The big play. There’s nothing quite like it. A missed tackle. A blown coverage. Speed to burn. Anyway you get it, however it happens, it can change the tenor of a game in a heartbeat.

Three big plays by Mater Dei in the first half of its quarterfinal game on Friday were the difference as the top-seeded Monarchs scored a 33-13 quarterfinal victory over Sierra Canyon at Santa Ana Stadium.

Big moments? There was sophomore tight end Mark Bowman, who slipped behind the secondary...