by Luis Hernandez, Managing Editor

The St. John Bosco Football Braves are Trinity League Champions and ready to start the CIF-SS Playoffs against San Clemente High School in their first step toward winning back-to-back State and National Championships.

Bosco looks to keep their five-game winning streak alive with a win tonight at Panish Family Stadium. The Braves last played two weeks ago against Orange Lutheran and were dominant the whole game in a 44-22 victory.

While the program has much experience in the playoffs, quarterback Caleb Sanchez is making his first playoff start. In the regular season, Caleb recorded 2682 passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns. He’s been very efficient thus far and carries strong momentum into his first CIF run.

“We’re taking this game the same way we took the regular season. We don’t believe anyone can stop us as long as we execute,” said Caleb.

The offense has been firing on all cylinders with senior receivers Tommy Maher and Stacy Dobbins, as well as sophomore receiver Daniel Odom, having incredible seasons.

“We just have to keep stacking good weeks of practice together and continue to build our chemistry so we are all on the same page,” said Tommy. “We’re on a good track right now and are going to peak at the right time.”

The Braves do not only have a lethal receiving core, but their backfield is dangerous with UCLA-commit Cameron Jones rushing for ten touchdowns, closely followed by fellow-senior Chauncey Sylvester with eight.

The Braves success this season is largely due to the dominance of the defense. The defense is stacked at every position with senior Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa at linebacker leading the way with 78 total tackles and ten tackles for a loss. This is not his first CIF experience, as he was a key piece of the defense on last year’s National Championship team.

“We feel great. Locked in and ready to approach each week with a great mindset. Doing our best to stay healthy and make sure we have everybody good to go for this playoff run,” Kyngstonn said.

The San Clemente Tritons offensive line is going to have a tough time blocking sophomore Dutch Horisk and junior Max Amasio who each have 10 tackles this season. The receivers are also in for a rude awakening with a lethal Brave secondary, containing Alabama-commit Peyton Woodyard, USC-commit Marcelles Williams and Washington-commit Khomri House.

The Braves are obvious favorites to reach the CIF-SS Championship, as many are predicting a rematch with the “Team In Red,” who were pummeled in their last meeting with the Braves, 28-0.

While Bosco is a much better team on paper, they are not taking the Tritons lightly, and the Braves believe it is vital to not get complacent.

“We always give 100%, and this game is no different,” said Caleb.