The Brave News

by Ethan Piechota

The St. John Bosco Braves football team takes on Mililani High School from Hawaii tonight at Panish Family Stadium as the #1 ranked team in the nation looks to move to 3-0 on the year.

Dominance. Complete and total dominance has been on display from Bosco’s top-ranked, lockdown defense throughout the first two weeks of the season.

The offense, led by quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, has put up numbers as expected, scoring 49 and 56 points in their first two games respectively with high-powered games from skill position players George Holani, Keith Savage, Kris Hutson, Jude Wolfe and Jake Bailey in each.

However, Bosco’s national championship chances rest in the hands of the team’s defense. The unit has forced 9 turnovers throughout their first two games, taking pride in wearing and flaunting their “turnover chain” on the sidelines.

The squad is playing hungry, getting hits on opposing quarterbacks at every opportunity and tainting offensive gameplans from the kickoff.

Last week in Bakersfield, the Braves allowed just 10 yards of total offense to Garces Memorial in their 56-0 rout. That is an absurd stat, and just goes to show the power and high capability of this defense up-and-down the depth chart. And it’s not just the starters, as this Bosco defense is deep. It starts with Bosco’s highly skilled defensive line, which rotates 8 Braves on the regular.

The Mililani Trojans from Hawaii are one of the top football programs from the “big island” and are a top 50 team in the nation for high school football. There was worry that the game might not take place due to Mililani possibly not being able to leave Hawaii on a plane because of hurricanes in their area, but the team has landed here in California and has held practices at Panish Family Stadium.

Not to be overlooked, Bosco’s offense has gone above-and-beyond and gotten the job done in both weeks as well and will be a key part of the team’s success the rest of the season. But when you add in a unit on the other side of the ball that will literally not allow you to score, a national championship run is made a true reality.

It’s just been an absolute clinic from Bosco’s defense in each of their opening two games, and they will look to continue this again tonight against Mililani.

“The Tribe” will need to be in full force tonight as the Braves play another game to defend their number one overall ranking in the nation and fulfill their national championship hopes.