The Maturis: Molly, Jana, Paul, Haley Maturi Mason, Brad Mason and Jamie
When the Wildcats faced Jesuit at The Boneyard in 2010, the Maturi home was ‘A House Divided.’ Dad, Paul, an LHHS grad, was excited about his new job as defensive coordinator at Jesuit after years coaching for the Cats. Mom, Jana, also an LHHS alum, was working in the LHHS front office. Daughter, Molly, was a Highlandette preparing to perform at halftime, and daughters Haley and Jamie were loyal Wildcats, through-and-through.
Tonight will be different.
Jana now works in a dental office and the girls have graduated. Though Haley Maturi Mason now teaches at Merriman Park Elementary, she says, tonight, she’s a Rangers fan.
“It will be very hard, because I love LH and was raised to cheer on the Cats to win Friday night football games,” says Haley, who married her LHHS sweetheart. “It is in my blood. But I also grew up very passionate and sensitive about my dad winning his games. His family of girls is all that way and no matter where our coach is, we will cheer him on and be his fan.”
In addition to his coaching duties, Paul now serves as Jesuit’s assistant athletic director. When I spoke to him in 2010, he called games like the one tonight “the best of both worlds.”
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Paul told me then. “I cheer for the Wildcats every week except this one. There’s a lot of mutual respect – both are great schools and great communities. It’s a positive thing – I want both communities to know my heart is with both.”
Haley feels the same, mostly.
“Tonight, the Jesuit fans have the Maturis on their side. My friends and my husband will just have to deal.”
You can watch the Homecoming game at Wildcat Stadium tonight. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m., and the crowning of the Homecoming Queen will take place shortly before that.
