Interview: 2019 4.5-Star Mater Dei K Nick Lopez Updates Season and Southern Section Championship Run
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Mater Dei High School’s football team is so loaded with talent, not only will the offense and defense make you look silly, but the special team performers are dudes too. Case and point, Class of 2019 kicker Nick Lopez. Lopez handles all the kicking duties, being rated a 4.5-star prospect by kicking guru Chris Sailer for his efforts; an honor catching college coaches’ attention.
During his junior season, Lopez was given more opportunities to shine connecting on 8 of 10 field goals with a long of 40 while hitting 52 of 53 point after attempts. The senior campaign for the 6-1, 185-pound, talent has been an improvement in accuracy and distance, especially with his kickoffs. The Monarchs are a scoring machine leading to 71 touchbacks for Lopez, an 80 percent touchback rate. He has hit 2 of 3 field goal attempts with a long of 38 and has put through 64 of 66 point after attempts.
Lopez’s kicks need to be qualified. Over the last two seasons, Mater Dei has twice played Bishop Gorman (NV), St. John Bosco three times, Bergen Catholic (NJ), Mission Viejo twice, Long Beach Poly, a nationally Top 10 ranked JSerra squad, IMG Academy, and Top 5 ranked Centennial (Corona). The Monarchs are the defending California and national champs, working towards a repeat with a 12-1 on the field record (11-2 due to a forced forfeit of a win). With a No. 2 national ranking, Mater Dei takes the field on Friday colliding with bitter Trinity League rival No. 1 St. John Bosco. The two teams met on Oct. 13, with Bosco getting a 41-18 revenge win after the Monarchs beat them twice last season on the way to collecting trophies.
In an RNG catch-up interview, I sat down with Lopez learning more about his growing skills as a kicker with an update on his recruiting process after receiving an offer from Army.
Interview
Nick, the Monarchs have been on another amazing run after winning the 2017 California and national championship (MaxPreps). What has been the mindset on the team throughout the season with the big target on the back?
“With all our new transfers, the big thing was coming together as a brotherhood. We took each game one game at a time, we played three or four Top 10 teams this season proving we deserved our ranking. This week’s preparation will be 100 percent about working hard and being ready. We’ve had the toughest season, our goal was to make the most of it.”
You’ve kicked against some of the best teams in the country over the last two seasons, showing what you can do. What is your personal mindset for every game?
“From last season, we’ve been in some big games and stadiums. I have calmed down since we’ve been in so many big games. I can ignore everything around me and do my job. I am used to it now, I’ve been in the big games.”
How have you pushed your game forward as a kicker this season?
“My kickoffs have improved a lot. I am trying to increase my hang time and my distance. My mechanics have improved a lot as well. I am making sure my technique is good and putting it through the uprights for touchbacks every time.”
What are you averaging on your kickoffs?
“I am averaging 65-yard plus. I have had one or two 70-plus yards out the back of the end zone.”
Which areas of your game are you constantly working on in practice?
“Again, my kickoffs. I don’t have that many field goal opportunities with Mater Dei; we are always scoring touchdowns. On Friday night, Coach (Bruce) Rollinson told me their (Centennial) kick returner was a dude. It helps our defense if I get a touchback, they have to drive 80 yards every time. We had three celebration penalties in the last game, I had to kick from the 25-yard line. I had to kick lower but farther, hoping for less of a chance of returning it.”
What do you work on with your field goals in the rare chance you do get to kick one?
“I practice my field goals every day. I work on accuracy and technique. My accuracy is spot on. I have my ankle locked and my hips lined up. I am very accurate in games out to 40 yards, that is where most of my field goals in games have come from. I’m never going to hit a 60-yarder with Mater Dei. Our offense is too good.”
You guys jumped on Centennial winning 48-14 in the semifinal round to advance to the Southern Section Championship Game, how did the showdown go overall for the team?
“It was a big win for us. Coach Rollinson was proud of us. Our defense had four interceptions, Elias kept picking off passes. We are excited for Bosco. We want to win this thing.”
What are you guys expecting in the rematch game against bitter rival against St. John Bosco on Friday?
“We are expecting the same thing, but we will be ready this time. We will use all our weapons, play our best, and prepare hard during the week.”
What will be the focus of your work this week in preparation for Bosco?
“I will work on my kickoffs to make sure they have no returns.”
With recruiting, you have the offer from Army, which schools are showing interest?
“I am receiving interest from Cal, Oregon, UCLA and Oregon State. I talk to them at the end of my week after each game, before their game.”
Have you taken any visits lately?
“Yes. I have been to UCLA – I went to UCLA this weekend for the USC game, Oregon, and Cal for games. I went to Harvard, Penn, Stanford, and Cal over the summer. I won the Penn camp.”
Nice. How did the UCLA visit go?
“I brought my family and got to talk to their coach a little bit. I really enjoyed it. It was a crazy game. I got to see JT Daniels (Mater Dei), USC’s quarterback. The atmosphere at the game was great.”
Nick, it was great catching up with you today. Good luck on Friday against Bosco.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Mater Dei HS; Nick Lopez in action
Photo credit: Lopez family; Nick Lopez and family at UCLA