by Lucas Garrison, Sports Editor

The Braves marched into Cerritos College on Saturday with one goal in mind against the “Team in Red”: Revenge. They emerged from the ashes of a barn burner as your 2019 CIF-Southern Section Champions after mounting an epic comeback, putting them in the driver’s seat for a consensus national title with one more win over Concord De La Salle in the CIF-State Championship. 

In Trinity League play, the “Team in Red” took down the Braves at Panish Family Stadium. Looking back on that first meeting, the Braves looked lost on the defensive side and at times struggled to move the ball up and down the field. The beginning of Saturday’s game looked the same.

The Braves within the first three minutes of the game gave up two passing touchdowns to the “Team in Red.” The first was a 62-yard pass from Bryce Young to receiver C.J. Williams. Then, after forcing a punt, the “Team in Red” got the ball back and marched down the field, which would result in yet another passing touchdown for the Alabama-commit to take a commanding 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

In the Braves stands, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Brave faces showed frustration, shock and pure disappointment. That’s how a majority of the first half felt.

With six minutes to go in the first quarter, Logan Loya marched out and drilled a line drive 33-yard field goal to put the Braves on the board.

But just as the Braves started to look like they were gaining momentum, a fumble occurred and halted the Braves’ promising drive. However, the fumble seemed to work in the Braves favor for the sole fact that it backed the “Team in Red” up against their own goalline. The Braves then sacked Young in his own end zone forcing a safety, as the Braves cut the lead by two more with 4 minutes left in the first quarter to put the score at 14-5.

The Braves’ defense was the story for Saturday’s game. Forcing 5 turnovers and 3 sacks. The first interception came late in the 1st quarter, as Jake Newman read the play and perfectly jumped the receiver, intercepted the ball and returned it for 16 yards. The Braves seemed to have captured lightning in a bottle at this point, as they looked to post a touchdown on the ensuing drive.

However, the sad fact of the matter was that as the first half progressed the Braves consistently stalled out on offense, and their seemingly lock down defense would give up two more touchdowns to Young. He completed another touchdown for 30 yards to Cristian Dixon and then a 21-yard touchdown, where Young found Williams for the second time on Saturday.

Braves quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei found wide receiver Kris Hutson for a six-yard touchdown to close out the half. The score at half time was 28-12 in favor of the “Team in Red.”

Heading into the third quarter, the Braves received the ball and would begin the comeback of the century. It would start off with D.J. finding Hutson in the end zone for a 26-yard completion to cut the game down to a score of 28-19.

Then the Braves defense stepped up big yet again. The Braves were looking to force a three-and-out, as their defense had stepped up on the previous two plays. Then coming off the edge was defensive end Jalen Woods to drop Young to the ground and force the “Team in Red” to punt the ball back to the Braves.

The Braves retook the field with a sparkle in their eyes; it was a completely different feel in the stadium than in the first half. Everyone from the players to the coaches to the fans were going nuts.

D.J. began the Braves’ second drive of the half by tossing two quick passes to move the Braves 25 yards away from the “Team in Red’s” end zone. Coming out of the huddle, the Braves offense looked calm. As D.J. dropped back, he had no one open initially, but the offensive line did a great job giving him more than enough time to locate tight end Adam Awaida for the touchdown to cut the “Team in Red’s” lead to just two points.

Then on the first play of the ensuing series the Braves would tip a Young pass up in the air and pick off the “Team in Red,” setting the Braves up with excellent field position with under a minute left in the 3rd quarter. The Braves would run to the sideline as the quarter ended waving their arms attempting to hype the crowd up, and that’s exactly what they did. The Braves would head into the fourth quarter trailing. However, for the first time during the night, they felt revenge well within their grasp.

D.J. then began the fourth quarter how the Brave faithful envisioned by snatching the life out of the “Team in Red,” as he found wide receiver Logan Loya for a touchdown, putting the Braves ahead of their rival for the first time all season by a score of 32-28.

The Braves not only took the lead; they kept it.

D.J. came out after yet another stop by the Braves’ defense and found Loya for a second time to increase the Braves lead by a score of 39-28.

However, the “Team in Red” would attempt a comeback of their own. Young would complete his fifth passing touchdown of the game to Domani Jackson, cutting the Braves lead down to a score of 39-34 after the Braves defense stepped up and stuffed the “Team in Red’s” two-point conversion attempt.

Bosco would then get the ball back and attempt to run the clock out. Head coach Jason Negro would make a decision to go for it on fourth and inches in Brave territory, and the “Team in Red” took great field position after stuffing the Braves attempted quarterback sneak.

But to cap an improbable night, they quickly fumbled the ball back to the Braves. After running some clock, the Braves punted the ball back to the “Team in Red,” who were able to make everyone’s heart jump once last time as Young made a Hail Mary throw to the end zone, but of course, there was the Braves defense, again, in fitting fashion.

Kris Hutson, who caught huge passes on offense all night long while playing two ways most of the game, secured his final grab not from D.J. but from Young, whose prayer ended in the hands of Hutson, deafened by Tribe cheers exclaiming relief… and revenge.

The Braves look forward to the opportunity of capturing a state and national title December 14th at Cerritos College against Concord De La Salle.

by Hunter Richardson, Assistant Sports Editor

The Braves find themselves one game away from a potential rematch with the “Team in Ted.” Tonight they face off against the explosive Corona Centennial Huskies in the Semifinals of the Division I CIF-SS playoffs. 

Bosco football rolled through their opening round opponent, Calabasas High School, winning 63-7, and this week they will have to keep their momentum flowing against the highly skilled Huskies squad. The Huskies, coming into this game at 9-2, ran through their league going undefeated with none of those games being close. Same goes for their opening round matchup versus JSerra where they rocked the Lions 56-0. Both the Braves and the Huskies are riding heavy momentum into tonight’s game, which should be an explosive offensive night for both sides.

The Huskies are a loaded squad with a high octane offense that can put up points against any defense in the country. Corona Centennial is averaging a mindblowing 54 points a game, so tonight is going to be a very tall task for Coach Negro’s defense. The Husky offense is also balanced averaging over 225 rushing and passing yards per game, respectively. Tonight might have to be a game where the offense wins in a shootout.

The Huskies, after winning a coin flip, also have home field advantage, which poses another challenge for the Braves playing away from Panish Family Stadium after a long road trip. Despite the trek for Brave Nation, the faithful will certainly show out to support their team in the biggest game of the year so far.

The Braves and the Huskies have faced each other quite a few times in the last few years in the CIF playoffs. It is nothing new to see these two teams reach the semifinals, and the last time they faced each other in 2017 the Braves won easily by a score of 62-34, again in the CIF semifinals.

The Braves are one win away from potentially getting their chance at revenge against the “Team in Red,” who beat the Braves in Trinity League play at Panish Stadium and last year in a  heartbreak ending to the season in the CIF-SS final. This season has only been about one thing for the Braves, and that is win a national championship or bust. With a win tonight they are one step closer to realizing that goal, but that goal can just as easily be put to rest by the Huskies tonight. With Brave Nation behind them though, and not to mention some of the best talent in the country on both sides of the ball, the Braves are poised for another trip to the CIF-SS finals.

The game begins at 7:30 pm. If you can’t make it out to the game, it will be televised on Fox Sports West.

by Kourt Williams

This past Saturday, the University of Alabama played against Mississippi State. Late in the first half, Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama’s starting quarterback was tacked by two Mississippi players and resulting in a drastic injury; a dislocated hip. Sources declare he will undergo surgery and be out for the remainder of the season. 

Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban speaks on the impact an injury like this has on the team, “…we lost a great leader, a great player, we’re all hurting.” Saban goes on to say, “I feel bad and I’m hurting for him. I called him to cheer him up, and he then cheers me up.”

An injury of this magnitude is detrimental to the football program just because of the major role Tagovailoa plays for the team. He has been the starting quarterback for two years, therefore the team has become accustomed to his style of play and methods of leadership. Now with him gone, and with a new, less experienced quarterback to fill his shoes, it will be interesting to see how to team does or doesn’t recover from this detrimental change for the remainder of the season.

Tagovailoa suffered a dislocated hip, which ironically is the same injury, NFL player, Bo Jackson suffered in the prime of his career in 1991. There has been speculation around this injury because this injury cost Jackson’s entire career, despite him being well in his prime. There has been concerns for Tagovailoa as to whether or not he will be able to fully recover and even be able to step on the football field as the Alabama starting QB again.

Alabama team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lyle Cain provided an early prognosis stating, “Tua Tagovailoa sustained a right hip dislocation that was immediately reduced at the stadium. He is undergoing further testing to determine the best course of treatment. He is expected to make a full recovery but will miss the remainder of the season.”

Despite this early prognosis, there is a level of uncertainty from other doctors because they do not know the extent of the injury.

Dr. Louis Levitt further says, “This was the case where, when you dislocate the hip, that you have a limited period of time to get the hip back into the socket again because you compromise the blood flow to the ball of the ball and socket joint.”

Tagovailoa will potentially miss the 2020 season as well. Depending on how well the bone heals and the effectiveness of his rehabilitation, there are questions if he will ever be able to step on a football field again; the Bo Jackson Story. If the blood flow is compromised and can’t flow to the socket, the ball inside the socket can possibly die, and if that occurs, his football playing days will be over.

Tagovailoa was released two days ago in with a prognosis of ‘excellent’ by the doctors, a great sign. He will now let the injury heal completely and undergo rehabilitation. Hopefully, for his sake and the future of Alabama Football, everything will heal smoothly, and we will see this once magnificent quarterback on the gridiron make his return.

by: Lucas Garrison, Sports Editor, and Travien Sears A and E Editor

The Second-seeded Braves, walked into Panish Family Stadium Friday night with one goal in mind: Destroy. As the Braves are coming off yet another impressive season, tenth year head coach Jason Negro and the Braves will look to make another CIF Championship appearance this season, which hopefully will result in another state, and possibly national, championship.

Friday night the Braves ran out of the tunnel lead by stars, Kobe Pepe, Kourt Williams II, Drake Metcalf and D.J. Uiagalelei. Now, the Braves did, however, start the game off a little bit slow, giving up the first touchdown to the Coyotes. The early touchdown can be credited to some pregame nerves, because after that initial touchdown, the Braves came down with the hammer on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

The Braves lock down defense started with limiting the Coyotes to no more touchdowns the remainder of the game. However, Calabasas quarterback Jaden Casey did throw another touchdown, but to Bosco’s defensive back Josh Alford for a pick-six. Alford, Williams and Pepe led the defense with a shutdown mentality.

“They had a lot of weapons on their team offensively, and I feel like altogether we played like a team,” Williams said. “I feel like if we do what we did against Calabasas and we do our jobs and play like a team, that we should come out really well against Corona Centennial this week.”

Offensively, the Braves were led by quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei passing for 268 yards and 2 passing touchdowns. While also receiving some major help from RB Nathaniel Jones who rushed 12 times for a total of 145 yards and 2 touchdowns and WR Kris Hutson who received 6 passes for a total of 119 yards and 1 touchdown. All around, the Braves showed what a team should look when they’re clicking when it counts.

The Braves this Friday will travel to Corona, CA to take on the public school powerhouse of the Inland Empire, the Corona Centennial Huskies. The Braves will attempt to take down the Huskies and make their seventh straight CIF Championship appearance.

 

by Hunter Richardson, Assistant Sports Editor

The Braves, coming off a disappointing 38-24 loss against Mater Dei, have an excellent opportunity for a quick bounce back in the final regular-season game squaring off tonight against Santa Margarita.

Last week was a difficult one to swallow for the Braves with much anticipation built into that game and falling very short against Mater Dei. Luckily the season is not lost as the Braves stay the number two ranked team in the country and have tonight’s match up and the playoffs with another potential Mater Dei match up to look forward to.

On to tonight, it is the Homecoming game for the Bosco Braves, which is bringing the entire Bosco community past and present together for tonight’s game. It is always a special night as alumni and current students all come together to celebrate the special community and tradition that this program and school have built. As for the game to be played on the field tonight, if the Braves are amped up and ready to put last week behind them, we might be in for a big-time performance in favor of the Braves.

The Braves are currently 8-1 ranked currently ranked number two in the country looking tonight to sharpen up prior to making their playoff run. The offense for Head coach Jason Negro’s squad did not have the ideal week last week especially in the run game and that will most certainly be a point of emphasis for improvement this week entering the CIF Playoffs. Many will have their eyes tonight on the defense as well after an abysmal start last week to see if they can bounce back this week.

Santa Margarita enters tonight’s contest with a 3-6 record having zero wins in league. This year has been a rough one for the Eagles with tonight being their final game of a season to forget. They can erase all the frustration tonight if they can shock the world and get a win to close their season at Panish Family Stadium. Offense for the Eagles has been the main problem mainly the passing game where they have thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. The Braves defense has an opportunity to bounce back with a big performance tonight as well especially the D-Line against the run-heavy attack of the Eagles.

The Eagles defense has been the strongest point for the team and will look to put the team on their backs tonight and keep them in the game. The O-Line for the Braves will not have a cakewalk tonight against this Eagles D-Line and are attempting to make a statement prior to the playoffs with the rest of the Braves roster looking to do the same.

The Braves take on the Santa Margarita Eagles tonight at 7 at Panish Family Stadium.

Final Score: Braves-35 Eagles-14

by Lucas Garrison, Sport Editor

On Tuesday, October 29, 2019, St. John Bosco’s football stars, Kourt Williams, II and D.J. Uiagalelei, were invited to the Army All-American Bowl, in San Antonio, Texas.

Both of these players have not only exceeded on the gridiron, but also in the classroom. Such a prestigious honor is not just given but earned. Anyone can be a true football talent, however, to be a part of the All-American Bowl, you need to also be a true champion in the classroom.

D.J. and Kourt have proven over the last two years to be leaders of the number two team in the nation. D.J., who is the number one ranked pocket passer in the nation and will be attending Clemson in the Spring of 2020, has posted 2623 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has posted solid grades throughout his four years here at St. John Bosco High School.

D.J. will most likely sit behind current Clemson QB Trevor Lawerence for a year or two, but. Coach Dabo Sweeney bagged a great one. D.J. surely will look to show that he is the true number one QB out of the 2020 graduating class once given his opportunity at the next level.

Kourt Williams this season has posted numbers of 44 totals tackles, three tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery. However, in the classroom Kourt has posted a cumulative 3.8 GPA. Kourt continues to impress in the classroom and has time and time again proven that he is a true Bosco role model.

Kourt who will be attending The Ohio State University in the Spring of 2020. Kourt will add a solid defensive boost to the Buckeyes secondary. Once Kourt hits the field he will look to show fans, scouts and other teams that he is the real deal and a top talent out of the 2020 graduating class.

by Joshua Whitfield

St. John Bosco Water Polo is one of many sports programs that are underrated and under-publicized. The St. John Bosco water polo varsity is led by head coach Jeffrey Powers. The Braves record this season for league was (0-4) and (7-18) counting their pre-season games. Coach Powers has been leading the Braves for many years, honing and developing many Bosco water polo players to take them to greater heights.

Coach Powers was recently inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame as part of the 35th induction class in June of 2019.

“It was an honor, that’s not why you play the game but it is nice being recognized for some of your achievements,” said Coach Powers.

While Coach Powers was honored with this highly prestigious achievement, it didn’t interfere with his main priority, leading and coaching the Bosco Braves to make his players the best they could be.

The Varsity team consists of 13 players, the three Senior players Lucas Garrison, Ryan Mowl, Gabe Garcia, and Kyle Perera. The remaining of the team consists of juniors, Parker Moore, and Ethan Olney along with six sophomores on the varsity line up. The sophomores competing on varsity are Anthony Best, Joshua Joson, Lucas Okampo, Christopher Valente, and Jack Woodson. With only one freshman on the team named Matthew Cassas. Coach Powers believes the team has made great improvements from last year.

“There was a lot of guys that showed improvement from last year, Parker Moore showed a lot of improvement, some of the freshman that came out like Matthew Cassas he showed a lot of improvement but everyone improved, I think Gabriel Garcia had a really solid season, he played well and was always fighting,” said Coach Powers.

This entire varsity line up is rather young for a varsity team while only having three seniors to lead the younger players, yet their coach sees much potential in them all. Coach Powers gives recognition to his players knowing how much they all have improved over the off-season.

Though the Braves made many improvements to their skills personally and as a team they were unsatisfied with where they were placed.

“I do feel we could’ve done better that being said, I do think the boys made a lot of progress, and that they still learned, it was a productive season in that sense but record-wise I feel as if we could’ve done better,” said Coach Powers.

During the Braves season, many players were injured while playing with Coach Power even stating, “This season we caught the injury bug”. Because of the massive list of injuries the players experienced it affected their game plan and the assets they would’ve used very affectively during their matches.

“It was crazy it was almost like every other week someone was getting injured,” said Senior Ryan Mowl.

Though the Braves could not make league on their own merits, Coach Powers still answered who he felt the best team in their division was.

“I feel Santa Margarita is a better team but Orange Lutheran just managed to win”

The Bosco Braves still performed fairly well with the hand that they were playing this year, Coach Powers isn’t looking at the past now. Instead, he’s looking to the future so next season the Braves will show everyone what they’re truly made of.

Coach Powers is currently looking at his team and seeing what changes he can implement to advance the team.

“Hopefully next season we’ll perform better, the boys didn’t seem to like how this season ended kind of with the record and stuff, but hopefully they’ll feel motivated in the off-season and that they’ll continue to get better and everyone will have a year more experience,” Said Coach Powers.

With the massive amount of injuries to plague the players and the very young squad taken into account, the Braves played adequate, but next season is a new season.

“We should have a lot of returners next year so hopefully we’ll play better,” said Coach Powers.

The Braves with a record of (7-18) to end the season won against High Schools Buena, Tustin High, Cerritos, Montebello High School, Crespi Carmelite High School, Gahr High School, Warren, and Cypress. The Braves with their seven-wins shined in particularly two games, one against Gahr where they won (15-1) and against Cypress running the board ending it (17-3).

Looking to next season with predictions is a bit of a stretch because the season has just now ended, but Coach Powers understands where the team needs to improve for next season.

“We want to play better than this season, we have improvements to make all around though swimming, ball handling, awareness in the pool but that just comes with experience and time spent playing so hopefully we can progress,” said Coach Powers.

While it is early to predict, Coach Powers has some clear goals for the upcoming season.

“It all depends because there is so much our goal consists of for next season, well our goal is to always win but it’s to be above 500 records and to make playoffs for CIF that’s our goal.” Said Coach Powers.

Though the Bosco Braves had a rough season this year the realized their mistakes and are working in the offseason to mitigate them as much as possible for next season. Coach Powers believes in his players and is guiding them to take the Water Polo program to new heights with his players.

by Travien Sears, Assistant A+E Editor

The Super Bowl of High School Football ended in a 38-24 loss for the Bosco Braves. The “Team in Red” defeated the undefeated Bosco football team to move on to 9-0, 4-0 in the Trinity League, while putting the Braves at 8-1 on the season, 3-1 in the Trinity League, and Brave Nation in a minor depression right before the Homecoming week. 

Despite leaving Panish Family Stadium with a loss, quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei throwing for two of the Bosco’s three touchdowns and passing 283 yards and rushing 39 yards.

Senior wide receiver Logan Loya received for 109 yards, with Junior Jode McDuffie not far behind him with 99 yards.

The game started off fairly slow for the Braves. Starting with the ball to open the game, the Braves punted after a three and out, as the “Team in Red” immediately came back with a touchdown. There was energy in the crowd, however, on the field, the Braves seemed a step off, a vibe that was seemingly present for the entirety of the first half.

However, the second half saw a different mindset for the Braves. They played more as a team and as a team that was ranked as No. 2 in the nation. The Braves had a few opportunities in the fourth quarter where they could’ve come back and tied the game to go into OT, but an interception late in the game iced the victory for the “Team in Red” in this year’s most anticipated high school game to date, that is until these two teams meet up again in the CIF-SS playoffs.

“Yeah we lost, but watch, we’re going to get them back next time, just watch,” junior offensive lineman Edward Riley said.

The Bosco Football team, despite an unfortunate loss, are looking forward to coming back during CIF to defeat the “Team in Red” in revenge for this heart-ripping loss to show the rest of the nation, as well as themselves, that they deserve the number one spot. Even though this was not Brave Nation’s desired result, they can still hold out hope for a National Championship if these two teams face off again and the Braves come out on top.

The Braves look to improve their record in next week’s game against Santa Margarita High School for their final game of the regular season and Trinity League play. It’s also our Homecoming game, so alumni come out and support your alma mater!

Predicted Score:

Braves 35, The “Team in Red” 31

Final Score:

Braves 24, The “Team in Red” 38

by Hunter Richardson, Assistant Sports Editor

Tonight is number one versus number two: the game of the year in a rivalry that goes deeper than just the history of these two schools. This, even more than years past, is the true Super Bowl of High School Football.

The game everyone has been waiting for is finally upon us, as the Braves take on the number one ranked “team in red” in a game that has had Brave Nation buzzing ever since last year’s crushing defeat in the CIF-SS Championship game. Tonight’s game will be the largest crowd ever to attend a game at the new Panish Family Stadium, with it being the first time the “team in red” graces the field at the beautiful new stadium. This game is high school football at its finest with the top two teams in the country doing battle in the most high profile rivalry in California and the whole country.

This rivalry has produced some of the best games Southern California has witnessed, and this year’s game might well be between the best two teams that have ever faced each other in a high school football game. Tonight’s game will feature almost 50 players that have either Division 1 offers or have already committed, a showcase of the best talent the nation has to offer.

Among all the talent matchups that are taking place tonight, everybody’s eyes will be on the quarterback matchup between the two top-ranked quarterbacks in the country, the Braves D.J. Uiagalelei and the “team in red’s” Bryce Young. These quarterbacks are also committed to the two best college football programs in the country, with Uiagalelei committed to Clemson and Young committed to Alabama.

Rivalry is basically just a word used to describe a competitive history between two teams that dislike each other, but the rivalry between these teams is about much more than just pride. There is much more on the line tonight as a national championship is on the minds of both teams, and a win in this game puts you on top of the rest of the country heading into the playoffs.

For the players, they are seeking to prove a point individually, showcasing their talents on the biggest stage in high school football. These players are also going against some of their childhood teammates and those they have trained with, and coming out on top in this game means more to these players than anyone can fathom.

Tonight’s game has some of the most high profile matchups of highly touted college recruits. The talent that will be displayed on the field will be a special sight to see, as spectators are pretty much getting a glimpse at players that will be playing for the best college programs in the country for the next few years. This game is a can’t miss, and for those people who are there tonight, cheer on your Braves and be prepared for an absolutely incredible atmosphere for one of the best high school football games ever played.

Tonight the Braves take on the “Team in Red” at 7:30 at Panish Family Stadium. The game can be watched on Fox Sports West. If you can’t make it to the game, then the smartest thing to do will be to tune in on FOX Sports West.

Score Prediction – Braves 35 – “Team in Red” 31