by Hunter Richardson, Assistant Sport Editor

The Braves return home this week as they invite another top cross-country opponent in the Falcons of Our Lady Of Good Counsel from Maryland.

Bosco football, led by head coach Jason Negro, look to take down another top 25 team this week in Our Lady of Good Counsel, who boasts a stout defense only giving up a combined seven points in their first two games of the season. The Falcons who are 2-0 on the season come in attempting to be the first team to knock off the Braves at home at Panish Family Stadium.

This will be the toughest opponent for the Braves this season so far as they look to continue their hot start to the season coming into this game at 3-0. The Braves have dominated the opposition so far this season, outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 140-35, and they will seek to continue this trend against the Falcons.

The offense will have their work cut out for them as they are going against a defense of the Falcons that have dominated their first two opponents on that side of the ball. The offensive line of the Braves have a large task ahead of them to keep this defense of the Falcons at bay and give the high-octane offense and skill players of the Braves a chance to get in space and use their speed to take control of this game.

The Braves defense can help their offense by wearing down the Falcons and keeping them off the field, giving the offense of the Braves the ability to control the game and have the ball the majority of the time.

The Braves continued their hot streak of blowouts with their rout of the Liberty Patriots by a score of 49-7 as part of the 2019 Polynesian Football Classic.

The Braves offense came into this game clicking on all cylinders coming off a 56-point performance against Don Bosco Prep. The Braves continued off of that performance, as they had no problem making big plays on offense against this Liberty defense.

Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw for five touchdowns and nearly 300 yards. Uiagalelei found his favorable matchup in junior wide receiver Beaux Collins, throwing four of his five touchdown passes to Collins. Collins has also racked up 178 receiving yards in this game, showing his big play making ability by completely leaving the Liberty defensive backs in the dust. Uiagalelei also added on a rushing touchdown to give him six total on the day.

The offense of the Braves was able to get the running game going as well, mainly through sophomore, “Speedy” Rayshon Luke, tallying 92 of the 124 rushing yards and adding on a touchdown of his own in the process. Luke’s big outing in this game is promising, as the young sophomore running back trio of the Braves, which includes Luke, Jabari Bates and Michael Hayes, continues to improve each week in the wake of the full return of senior Nathaniel Jones.

The Braves offense up and down dominated Liberty’s defense totaling 414 overall yards on a little over 17 yards per play.

The defensive front seven has been key for the Braves. This was no different against the Liberty offense, who could not get anything going due to the Braves powerful defense. Liberty totaled less than 250 yards, while the Braves defense also showed their big play making ability, forcing two turnovers from the Patriots. Senior Linebacker Danny Lockhart once again led the team in tackles this week with nine, with one of those being a sack.

The Braves special teams unit has also been steady through its last two games including this one, as senior wide receiver and kicker Logan Loya went 7 for 7 on his PAT attempts, staying perfect on the season in that category.

The Braves look to keep their undefeated season alive tonight against Our Lady of Good Counsel from Maryland. Don’t anticipate a barn burner; the Braves will dominate again in week four.

Final Score:  Braves 42 – Our Lady of Good Counsel 7