Mater Dei’s Graham Has Decided to Leave the School Next Week

SANTA ANA — Michael Graham, a sophomore running back at Mater Dei, will leave the school next week, Mater Dei officials said Friday.

Lyle Porter, Mater Dei principal, said it was Graham’s decision to leave the school. Graham did not suit up Thursday for the Monarchs’ game against Riverside Ramona.

“Michael came here as a freshman and it was a fairly dramatic change for him,” Porter said. “Often times kids find the structure and the discipline (of a parochial school) more demanding. Michael was uncomfortable with the uniforms and the rules on campus, as well as the rules with the football team.”

Graham’s family had no comment.

Graham gained 560 yards rushing and scored six touchdowns in four games for the Monarchs. He was benched for the first half of Mater Dei’s game against La Canada St. Francis on Oct. 1 because he had missed practices the week before the game.