The Brave News

by Jeremiah Davis

With league play fast approaching, the Bosco Braves took a trip to Virginia to dominate in football and to experience everything the state had to offer, from BBQ food to American history.

Bosco Football has been known throughout the past decade as being one of the top football teams in the state as well as the nation. This was proven once again when the Braves took a trip to Virginia to play Oscar F. Smith High School.

The game ended up being a lopsided contest with Bosco dominating Oscar Smith by a score of 49-0. However, there was more than just practice in the lead up to the game, as the Braves were able to spend quality time in Virginia.

The Braves departed from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Tuesday night, September 14th, and arrived in Virginia on Wednesday, September 15. Immediately after landing in Virginia, they were transported to Catholic High School in Virginia Beach where they conducted their first practice.

“The practice overall was a good experience. Before the trip, I had never even thought about visiting Virginia, let alone playing football there,” said senior Zion Austin, a strong safety for Bosco.

After practice, the Braves ended up going to one of Virginia’s finer food establishments, Mission BBQ.  With a slogan, “The American Way,” the folks at Mission BBQ were appreciative of Bosco and happy that the mighty Braves from Southern California were supporting their business. Afterward, the team headed to their hotel, The Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront, for some much needed rest.

The following day, the team was able to see a minor league baseball game between the Norfolk Tides and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.  

“The game was a great experience for us to bond not only with our Bosco brothers, but with our St. Joseph sisters as well,” said senior safety Logan Polk.  

Come Friday night, all of the game preparation, practice and film studying was put to test as the Braves took the field. Chedon James, a receiver for the Braves, led the way on offense with two receiving touchdowns, and Matayo Uiagalelei, a tight-end and defensive end, also added his name to the scoring ledger with two receiving touchdowns of his own.

Once the game ended, the Braves were transported back to their hotel to complete their schoolwork. The overall mission of every student-athlete at Bosco is to not only excel on the field, but in the classroom.

The next day was a special and surreal moment for the Braves, as they took a trip to the Virginia State Capitol. During their visit to the Capitol, the Braves were able to visit the American Civil War Museum, where they learned about the history and the obstacles that black Americans had to face leading up to the 20th century.  

“I was able to learn so much about my people that I barely knew anything about before.  It was a very interesting place that I will for sure go back and visit again with my family,” Jaden Smith, a senior cornerback, said.  

The Braves returned safely to California on September 19th. The whole trip was a major success for the program as a whole. The learning experiences gathered on the trip will pay huge dividends for each and every player. Now, the Braves will turn their attention to the “Team in Red” who come to Panish Family Stadium this Friday, October 1st, for what promises to be an exciting contest.