Tag: Centennial

Game of the year? No. 3 St. John Bosco edges No. 18 Centennial in semifinal thriller

St. John Bosco stifled a two-point conversion with eight seconds left to beat Centennial in the high-scoring CIF-SS Div. I semifinals.

Centennial (Corona, Calif.) had a chance to take a leap toward the top of the California Southern Section in the semifinal game against St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) on Friday.

After scoring a touchdown with eight seconds remaining to cut the deficit to one point, the Huskies could choose whether to send the game to overtime with an extra point attempt or go for the win with a two-point conversion.

The Huskies went for the latter in a game with nearly 90 total points scored and a missed PAT already. Quarterback Husan Longstreet faked the handoff to running back Cornell Hatcher Jr., who had scored five touchdowns throughout the night. Longstreet took the ball himself, slightly slipped, and was tackled by a pair of St. John Bosco defenders.

Centennial had one more chance, recovering an onside kick at the Bosco 41-yard line, but was prevented from moving the ball any further.

With that, the Braves eked out a 43-42 win and secured yet another CIF-SS Div. I championship game appearance against Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.).

Bosco quarterback Caleb Sanchez led the offense by passing for six touchdown passes and 330 yards on 13-for-23 passing, according to the San Bernadino Sun. His first three completions of the game were touchdowns of 23 yards, 62 yards and 65 yards, respectively.

On Centennial’s end, Hatcher was unstoppable, rushing 221 yards for five touchdowns on 45 carries, according to the Los Angeles Times.

It’s hard to overstate how good Hatcher was this season. In 12 games, he rushed for more than 2,300 yards and 42 touchdowns. He had at least 100 yards in every game except one — when he got 99 yards on 10 carries.

As close as Centennial came, they missed out on opportunities that could have won them the game. The Huskies missed a field goal, an extra-point attempt, and a pair of two-point conversions trying to make up for the lost points.

The loss for Centennial represents the plight of playing in the Trinity League. During the regular season, the Huskies played a demanding schedule, testing themselves against Mater Dei, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.). They cruised through division play and established themselves as a clear top-three team in California. They had a game plan that helped them put up 42 against Bosco.

Yet in the end, it ended the same way it has year in and year out for more than half a decade: Bosco vs. Mater Dei for the title.

More:

This might be the best throw Dylan Raiola has made all season (and it wasn’t even a touchdown)

Watch: This is the angriest run you will see all weekend

Opinion Poll: A new No.1? Bishop Gorman makes strong case after win over Centennial

The Gaels are the real deal, and backed it up tonight.

Let the arguments…commence.

Vegas power Bishop Gorman only needed to hold off an impressive comeback by Mater Dei in early 2022 to make a strong case for the top spot in the final Super 25 rankings.

Instead, the championship nod went to St. John Bosco (Calif.). Although the Braves lost to Mater Dei, they did manage to flip the script on the Monarchs at the Rose Bowl later in the year.

Meanwhile, the Gaels continued to steamroll teams, ending 2022 with one loss. The same as Mater Dei. The same as St. John Bosco.

That left the simple argument at the season’s end—one that was by no means a new area on the national stage—and included the scenario of three one-loss teams that could easily make a case for overall supremacy.

Add in the seasons of Central (Miami, Fla.) and Duncanville (Texas) and voila: you’re trying to solve a puzzle that would make even Pat Sajak shake his head and drop the mic.

(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

And here we are again. Again.

The 2023 opening Super 25 rankings have featured all three teams at the top, with Mater Dei currently at No. 1, followed by Bishop Gorman and then St. John Bosco.

All three are impressive — offense, defense, recruits, the works.

Unlike last season, however, we won’t benefit from any direct data (actual games) to decide what’s what between the top Vegas team and the two top California teams.

Sure, we’ll have the CIF battle on October 13 between the Braves and the Monarchs. But it’ll be hard to toss out the loser of the game from the trio, because, well, See: 2022.

To that, all the SoCal outcome will really create is a subjective whirlwind of opinions that echo over state lines, where there’s zero chance Team X could beat Team Y. And vice versa.

The proof?

Pat, I’d like to buy a vowel, please.

(Errrgh!)

So, where does that currently leave the HS football collective?

Right now? Corona, California. That’s where.

Centennial, currently ranked 15 in the Super 25, is the only team to play any of the top three.

In the matchup against Mater Dei to open the year, the Huskies lost a tough one at home 28-14.

On the road tonight, the Huskies—marred by the turnover bug, at times— lost to Gorman 56-28.

Those two games are the only evidence—in my opinion—we have so far to determine even an inkling of the best of the best.

Mater Dei looked solid, teetering on dynamic here and there.

Gorman looked solid, teetering on dynamic as well, and won by a larger point differential.

So, you tell me…

[polldaddy poll=12738007]

High School Football Playoffs: 5 major California Sectionals matchups this week

Here are five high-profile matchups we will be keeping an eye on.

We’re talking about the playoffs here at USA TODAY HSS, focusing on several areas with the country’s best high school football teams. While Florida and Texas both have tons of talent, one of the most notable areas—especially in 2022—is California.

And that brings us to the California Sectionals, which begin this weekend.

Here are five high-profile matchups, teams that are currently in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25, we will be keeping an eye on.

Mater Dei (10-0) vs. JSerra Catholic (6-5)

The reigning national champion Monarchs have spent the entire 2022 season at the top of our Super 25 power rankings list, beating all comers – including national powerhouses like Bishop Gorman, Centennial and Bosco.

Their first playoff opponent will be JSerra Catholic, who they beat earlier this season, 21-13. That’s about as tight as anyone has played Mater Dei all year aside from the close call in Week 2 against Gorman. JSerra will need to find an answer for Sophomore wide receiver Marcus Harris, who led the way for Mater Dei – totaling three catches, 105 yards and two touchdowns.

St. John Bosco (9-1) vs. Orange Lutheran (7-4)

Bosco’s only loss this season came against Mater Dei and they managed to keep the margin to 10 points. Otherwise, the Braves have rolled over every single other opponent they’ve faced this year. None of their nine wins came by any less than 27 points.

Meanwhile, Orange Lutheran advanced by the skin of their teeth, defeating Edison on the road by one point last week, 38-37. Sophomore quarterback TJ Lateef threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more.

Centennial (9-1) vs. Mission Viejo (9-1)

Centennial is another team whose only loss this year came against the best in the business. They faced Mater Dei in their third game of the season and lost 43-20. Since then they’ve blown their competition away. In the seven games since, they’ve outscored their opponents 365-71.

Mission Viejo should provide a real test, though. Their only loss came against Long Beach Poly, a 35-30 thriller early in September. Their last two games were won by a combined score of 134-7.

Long Beach Poly (10-0) vs. Los Alamitos (8-2)

It doesn’t get any more dominant than undefeated – which is what the Jackrabbits are coming into the playoffs. Long Beach faced a couple of difficult tests early in the season but lately has absolutely crushed their opponents defensively. Each of the last five teams they’ve faced hasn’t scored a single point against them.

Los Alamitos is on another level compared to those teams, though. Since losing two of their first three games to American Heritage and Basha – both serious national teams – they’ve recovered and gotten better every week. Their most recent victory came against Fountain Valley, who they beat 68-0 two weeks ago.

Serra (10-0) vs. Palma (8-2)

Finally, undefeated Serra from San Mateo will face Palma (Salinas) on Saturday afternoon. Serra is led by Junior quarterback Maealiuaki Smith has thrown 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions this year.

Avoiding turnovers will be key for Palma, who stumbled last week against Salinas, suffering their first loss since their 2022 season opener. Junior QB Thomas Nunes threw three interceptions.

Related:

Follow the postseason action: Watch high school football playoffs live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

Football Rewind: Mission Viejo WR Mikey Matthews’ epic 70-yard kickoff return touchdown

In the second quarter, Senior receiver Mikey Matthews pulled off an epic 70-yard kick return touchdown.

One of the best high school football teams that hasn’t made our Super 25 list this season is Mission Viejo (Calif.).

They’re making a strong push, though. This past week, they put in another crushing victory, defeating Capistrano Valley (Calif.) by a score of 63-7. The Diablos were dominant in all three phases of the game, including special teams.

In the second quarter, Senior receiver Mikey Matthews pulled off an epic 70-yard kick return touchdown. Watch.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkeVCa-LC1d/

In addition to his work as a returner, Matthews (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) has caught 50 passes this year, totaling 834 yards and 10 touchdowns. So far he has 21 reported offers from college programs. The leading contenders to get his commitment are Boise State, Colorado, Washington State and Utah.

The win improved Mission Viejo’s record this season to 9-1. Next up, they have a road playoff game against Centennial (Calif.), a team which is currently ranked No. 15 in the country.

No. 16 Centennial blows out No. 18 Sierra Canyon to win SoCal Open Division title

No. 16 Centennial handled No. 18 Sierra Canyon to win the SoCal Open Division title on Tuesday night.

Centennial’s meeting with Sierra Canyon for the Southern California Open Division championship was as highly anticipated as any high school basketball game in the state this season. Between the star power on the court and a title on the line, Tuesday’s action was anticipated to be a classic.

Things didn’t play out that way, though. Centennial stormed out to an early lead and eventually blew the doors off Sierra Canyon in an 83-59 win.

The Huskies started with a 9-0 run and never looked back while snapping Sierra Canyon’s run of consecutive California Open Division titles. All five of Centennial’s starters reached double figures.

Ramsey Huff led Centennial, which has now won 29 straight games, with 20 points. Devin Williams added 19, while Donovan Dent finished with 18. Aaron McBride chipped in 13 points and Jared McCain scored 10.

Five-star UCLA signee Amari Bailey tried to will Sierra Canyon back into the game with a 15-point performance, but the Blazers never cut Centennial’s lead to single digits in the second half.

Centennial will now play Modesto Christian for a state championship on Saturday.

[lawrence-related id=101493000]

Watch: Notre Dame cornerback commit Jaden Mickey wins 100-meter race

A Notre Dame commit is quite the versatile athlete.

Cornerbacks have to be some of the speediest guys on the football field. A month ago, Notre Dame got a good one in four-star recruit Jaden Mickey. Perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising, but among the ways Mickey stays in shape is by running track for Centennial in Corona, California. It turns out he’s pretty good at that, too, as the Class of 2026 commit won this 100-meter race:

This isn’t something Mickey just recently picked up either. In 2016, he competed for Eastvale Elementary as a sixth-grader in the CNUSD Junior Olympics, during which he took part in the 200, long jump and 4×100 relay. This spring, he will run the 100 and 200 for Centennial.

Most of Notre Dame’s current cornerback corps still will be around when Mickey arrives in South Bend for the 2022 season. He’ll be joining a group that will be incredibly tight-knit by then if it’s not already. Talk about a great opportunity to learn the ropes.