by Michael Barba

The Braves completed their sixth straight dominant performance of the season with a 49-3 win against the Servite Friars, and will continue on to the Santa Ana Bowl to take on the “Team in Red” in the most anticipated match-up of the year so far.

Bosco Football retains their title as number one high school football team in America and seek to defend their mantle and win streak against the second best high school football team in the country in the “Team in Red.” 

The anticipation for this game is like no other, with the last game against the “Team in Red” drawing a total of 6,000 strong at Panish Family Stadium last season. Due to the talent on both ends of this rivalry, the Braves have been putting every ounce of effort and focus in preparation for gameday.

The last match-up between the two ended in a 42-21 loss for the Braves, but it is looking more competitive than ever with both teams holding on to a 6-0 record heading into this year’s contest.

“It was a very focused week of practice. Everyone knows the magnitude of this game and the players did a great job with practice preparations before heading into the game,” said Offensive Coordinator Coach Steven Lo. “The last game has left a sour taste in our mouth, and we have circled this game on our calendar for a while. The scheme we have been practicing and the training leading up to this point has been designed to make sure we change the result.”

The amount of hype behind this game offers the Braves the opportunity to perform in front 9,000 strong this Friday on the road at the Santa Ana Bowl. Although the Braves are performing on the biggest stage in the country, this does not phase the team a single bit because of the confidence and skills that they are bringing to the table.

“We’re very confident going into the game. We’ve been prepared really well throughout the week so we’ll definitely be coming to play Friday night,” said senior wide receiver Israel Polk.

Both teams have some of the best offensive and defensive stats in the entire country with Bosco Football having a total of 42 touchdowns and 474 tackles and the “Team in Red” having a total of 29 touchdowns and 270 tackles. Both of these teams are exceeding the national average of 17 total touchdowns and 251 total tackles for high school football teams, according to MaxPreps.

Both teams are the hardest match-up for the other, but the Braves are number one for a reason and the “Team in Red” is number two for a reason.

“They are a really good team, but so are we,” said senior offensive lineman Sean Na’a. “So I believe as long as we execute and trust each other we will be just fine against them.”

The Braves have been nothing short of dominant this season. They managed to avenge last year’s loss against the Servite Friars in dominant fashion with a 49-3 win, and hope to do the same to the “Team in Red.”

Against the Friars, the Braves racked up a total of seven touchdowns and 454 yards of total offense. The defense was also on their A-game providing a total of 89 tackles and an interception.

The Braves kick off against the “Team in Red” at the Santa Ana Bowl tonight at 7:30 pm. For those that could not get a ticket, the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports West.

by Michael Barba

After an unmerciful 65-0 win against the Central Catholic Raiders, the Braves head into Trinity League play undefeated against their long time rivals, Servite High School Friars.

The Braves have yet to disappoint with an impressive 5-0 win streak against some of the fiercest competition in the country. The title of the number one high school football team in the nation currently is awarded to the Braves, but the 33rd ranked high school football team of Southern California, the Friars, looks to knock them from that mantle.

The Friars were the last football team to beat the Braves, ending their run for CIF gold last season. Due to this, Bosco Football looks to be stronger than ever by the time they step onto the field to seek revenge. 

“What we have been doing over the past five weeks is to prepare for the entire Trinity League, not just Servite. We’re trying to get better as a football team and improve on some of the areas from week-to-week that we feel we’ve been deficient in,” Head Coach Jason Negro said. “Servite is a talented team. They ended our season last year, so we are motivated.”

The game will be located in Cerritos College’s Falcon Stadium, so the Braves are going to be playing in a familiar environment, as the stadium served as the Braves temporary home prior to the opening of Panish Family Stadium.

“We’re going to worry about ourselves, not the opponent. We are going to make sure that we get the job done,” said junior defensive back Peyton Woodyard.

Bosco Football has been unstoppable lately, especially in their 65-0 blowout of the Central Catholic Raiders. This was Bosco’s highest scoring game this season, with a total of nine touchdowns. Not only was the Braves offense on fire, but defense made a total of 103 tackles and one interception. 

Against the Central Catholic Raiders, senior quarterback Pierce Clarkson completed a 54-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver DeAndre Moore and a 60-yard touchdown pass to junior running back Khalil Warren. Junior running back Cameron Jones made a 65-yard yard rushing touchdown just three minutes later, and junior running back Chauncey Sylvester received a 16-yard touchdown shortly thereafter. The defense also got in the the scoring action with senior defensive back Aaron Williams securing a “pick 6” with a 34-yard return.

And that was only in the first quarter, as the Braves jumped out to a commanding 34-0 lead in the blink of an eye.

Bosco Football has been able to achieve mind blowing stats within their first five weeks. The Brave’s offense have racked up a total of 243 points, 35 touchdowns, 1082 rushing yards and 69 passes completed. The Brave’s defense has been dominant as well with 4 interceptions, 13 sacks and 385 tackles, while holding opponents to an average of less than six points per game.

Kick off tonight at Cerritos College against the Friars is at 7:00 pm.

By Isaac Mays, Sports Editor

St. John Bosco High School Athletics hoisted the sails this Summer, introducing a new seafaring team, adding to the already impressive range of sports to join.

Bosco Sailing plans to embark on a fulfilling and competitive journey, with hopes of gifting a passion for a world of seafaring to many students. This program is largely student-led, with co-captains Jack Snow and Samuel Mohinani helping to direct the team. The prospect of students being partially at the helm makes the environment more approachable and friendly for the Braves who are just getting into sailing.

The team currently sails in the Los Alamitos Bay in Long Beach at the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club (ABYC). Their season has just started, although any students interested still have time to join. The team already plans to participate in a few sailing competitions, known as regattas, throughout the season, and the program is ramping up to be an exciting new opportunity for the Bosco community.

While the team is still in their preparation phase, they are nonetheless excited to unveil their talents and skills at the approaching regattas. Skippers sophomore Jack Snow and junior Samuel Mohinani both have prior sailing experience and are able to help aid in the learning process for new sailors.

Jack Snow grew up near the Los Alamitos Bay in Long Beach and has been sailing there since the age of four, where he has experience on many boats including rare hydrofoiling boats, which are boats that have wing-like “foils” that extends out under the boat to allow for less drag and greater speed.

Samuel Mohinani grew up in Hong Kong, where he was able to begin his sailing career. He favors lasers – small, single sailed, single-manned boats.

“It’s a really fun club where you can meet other sailors – sailing is a really good sport that can teach you lessons for throughout your life,” said Mohinani.

The team has access to a high quality boat called Club Flying Juniors, or CFJs, which they typically sail. They train with other teams and five man crews at their home facility in an effort to prepare for upcoming competitions. This club offers a unique and welcoming opportunity to foster new passions as well as friendships for Braves looking to engage.

“We need a lot more people to join, the more the better,” said Snow. “So just spreading the word helps a lot.”

Interested students can join the Sailing Team by contacting Julie Snow via email at julie.snow134@gmail.com. For a fee of $1400 students can join for this season, which runs year round, with practices on Mondays and Wednesdays. Make sure to join before they set sail.

by Christian Angel, Managing Editor

After defeating the Kahuku Red Raiders last week in their home opener, the St. John Bosco Braves look to continue their winning streak and national title run against the Central Catholic High School Raiders from Modesto at Panish Family Stadium tonight.

Head Coach Jason Negro and the Braves represented in the The Trinity League vs. USA Showcase last week against the Aloha State’s best, the Kahuku High School Red Raiders, claiming a gritty 34-7 victory.

While fans are looking ahead to the Braves entering Trinity League play and eventually taking on the nation’s second-ranked “Team in Red” on October 7, the Braves’ main focus is to dominate their last non-league game against Central Catholic. 

Bosco Football comes into this week again as the consensus number one high school football team in the nation after going 4-0 in the past four weeks, defeating their first four opponents by a combined score of 177-28.

The Braves game against Kahuku was a notable and special game for Bosco Football, and one that will not be quickly forgotten. It was not only a sold-out game, but it was a night of unity and brotherhood as Bosco and Kahuku showcased one of the best aspects of high school sports, coming together and showing support for each other in one of the most heartwarming games Brave Nation has ever seen at Panish Family Stadium.

“It was a special experience to witness the brotherhood of the two teams come together in support for one another. No matter the score of the game, it was great to see both cultures,” senior defensive-linemen Ah-Zaire Piggee said.

Against the Red Raiders, the Braves were led offensively by senior quarterback Pierce Clarkson, as he accumulated 89 passing yards and threw for 1 touchdown. Bosco’s offense also received some major contributions from senior wide receiver DeAndre Moore, who had his lone catch for 14 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Cameron Jones rushed 11 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns, while junior running back Chauncey Slyvester rushed nine times for 69 yards and one touchdown. Bosco ran for nearly 300 yards.

Defensively, they held up the Red Raiders rushing attack, allowing less than 40 rushing yards, recording four tackles-for-losses and three sacks.

As Bosco faces Central Catholic in their second home game and their last non-league game of the season, their focus is on playing a complete game and focusing on themselves, with the aim to dominate the Central Catholic Raiders. Tonight’s action starts at 7 pm.

By Marcelles Williams

Head Coach Jeff Powers is encouraged by an experienced squad featuring a strong core of senior leadership, who he hopes will use their experience to leave their final mark on Brave Aquatics.

This team presents a lot of strong talent, and who better to coach them than Coach Powers? Coach Powers first found the sport in 1994 and became a two time Olympian who played a major factor in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Team USA brought home a Silver Medal. He scored a late goal in the medal game to secure the win for his team and nation. In addition, Coach Powers was inducted into the prestigious Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2019.

He strives to bring the Olympian lifestyle and work ethic to his players in and outside of the water.

“I try to bring some of the things I learned as an Olympian in my coaching, like dedication, hard work and accountability,” Coach Powers said.

Team captain Matthew Casas headlines this group and will play a big role in this year’s team. Casas has strong plans for the future with aspirations set on collegiate water polo and even taking after his mentor and coach to become an Olympian.

“We have some experience [this season], normally we don’t have quite as many seniors,” said Coach Powers.

But don’t count out the young Braves either. Freshman phenom Nick Valente has been off to a hot start with six goals in a nail-biting 12-11 win against Pacifica High School.

“We have a good young core that if they stick with it they can be pretty good,” said Coach Powers, hinting toward many of the underclassmen’s large potential for growth.

The hard work these Braves have brought forth is about to be tested. The team has been training and preparing for the 2022-2023 season for over two months, participating in a Water Polo’s summer training camp. Many of the Varsity Team has been preparing year round, participating in swimming during the spring and extra work in the offseason, emphasizing their aspirations pushing for that goal of a CIF title.

The Braves are looking to place top three in the Trinity League or achieve over a .500 winning percentage so that they can accomplish their first goal, qualifying for CIF. This task will be very trying, however, as the Braves will be going against quality teams in the tough Trinity League week in and week out.

Coach Powers believes the team is going to get better and better as the season progresses, and they will be able to fulfill these goals at the end of their season.

“We’re working on the skills we need to hopefully get us to that next step,” Coach Powers said.

Coach Powers has been stressing fundamentals, especially clean and dry passes during practice. This improvement will make this team better in all facets of the game.

The Braves start out the year 8-6 with some good wins in a couple tournaments but expect them to improve with the Olympic level coaching of Coach Powers.

The Braves show a lot of promise this year, despite what the record shows on paper. The Braves put up a fight scoring eight goals on the number two team in the nation, the Damien Spartans.

On Tuesday, the Braves put up a hard fight against El Dorado, but fell by a score of 15-6 after holding their opponent to a score of 4-2 in the first half. The next day, they faced off against Long Beach Millikan High School, crushing them by a score of 13-6 in a much needed victory for the team.

As the team heads into the Trinity League, they need to prepare to go all out against some of the better teams they’ve yet to play this season. Fans can come out to watch their Braves next Thursday, September 29th, as they open Trinity League play on the road against Servite High School at 4:00 pm.