Sports: Bosco Football On The Road Again To Face Oregon Powerhouse Central Catholic
By Christian Angel, Managing Editor
After defeating the Allen Eagles and the Bishop Amat Lancers the last two weeks, the St. John Bosco Braves travel out of state again to continue their national championship quest against the Central Catholic High School Rams at Oregon University’s Autzen Stadium, one of the most notable college football venues in the country.
Head Coach Jason Negro and Bosco Football took the show on the road once again Thursday morning to begin preparation to face Central Catholic, who are ranked number one in the state of Oregon by MaxPreps and won the Class 6A State Championship in 2021.
Bosco looks to earn another show-stopping, out-of-state win against the Beaver State’s best.
Bosco comes into Eugene, Ore. continuing their reign as MaxPreps number one high school football team in the nation after the going 2-0 in the past two weeks, defeating Allen 52-14 in week one and crushing Bishop Amat 42-7 last Friday night.
On top of their recent win, they continue to focus on their holistic approach to their success, emphasizing the necessary contributions of their offense, defense and special teams. Offensively, against the Lancers the Braves were led by quarterback Pierce Clarkson, who produced 158 yards in the air and one passing touchdowns while rushing for 37 yards on two carries with one rushing touchdown.
Bosco’s offense also received some major help from running back Cameron Jones, who rushed eleven times for a total of 164 yards and two touchdowns, and wide receiver Eric Denham, who received two catches for 97 yards and one touchdown.
And the defense has been equally as impressive for the Braves.
“Our main focus is playing fast and aggressive defensively and to create turnovers,” said All-American, four-star safety Peyton Woodyard. “Turnovers allow our offense to get the ball.”
Bosco’s defensive performance serves as a testament to Woodyard’s statement, as against the Bishop Amat Lancers, they produced a turnover, four tackles for loss, a sack and totaled 68 tackles in a brutalizing effort against the Lancers.
As Bosco Football heads to Oregon, their whole production team, including players, coaches, equipment team and staff, shifts their operations to being away from their home base and adjusting to the vast confines of Autzen Stadium. With the upcoming travel, all coaches and staff work together in order to make sure game night turns into a victory.
St. John Bosco Football Equipment Manager Mr. Burrel Lee, III makes sure all equipment and technology are ready for game day with his managerial staff, exhausting every effort to do so.
“Going into this game, it’s like the Allen game, with thick glass windows in the coach’s press box, so I had to find a way to make sure there are no connection issues. This isn’t your normal high school field, so I just think of different ways to adjust on the fly,” Mr. Lee said.
Like the athletes on the field, much of Bosco’s success behind the scenes is due to their expertise in adjusting and creating success out of those adjustments.
And no matter the 900 mile distance to travel to Eugene Oregon, Brave Nation still comes together to show support for their team.
Mrs. Adrienne Large, parent of junior offensive lineman, King Large, is no exception. Mrs. Large and her family have not missed any of their son’s games in his time at Bosco and are eager to see their son compete in one of the premier college stadiums in America.
“The feeling is like none-other. It is a first-class experience to support our St. John Bosco Football team, especially King,” said Mrs. Large. “King along with his teammates and [the coaching staff] have done a phenomenal job each and every day to rise to the occasion of being the best high school football team in this world, and there is no greater pleasure than to be a part of this real family.”
The game tonight starts 7pm PST. Bosco fans who aren’t traveling to Autzen Stadium can attend a watch party starting at 6:30pm in the Mary Help of Christians Quad for tacos, football and fun.
The Brave News 