Tag: st john bosco

Defensive stands and offensive line help St. John Bosco win championship over Mater Dei

Pierce Clarkson played through injury to help St. John Bosco snap Mater Dei’s 29-game win streak and win the CIF-SS Div. I championship.

St. John Bosco senior quarterback Pierce Clarkson persevered through injury to finish with 264 yards and three touchdowns, the defense made vital stands, and the Braves atoned for a costly special teams flub to win the CIF-SS Div. 1 Championship and end the 29-game win streak of No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif).

With a 24-22 victory on Friday, No. 4 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) reminded the nation that it might just be the best team in the country.

The Braves, now in position to compete for the California Open Division championship against Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) in two weeks, ended the career of longtime Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson, whose final season of his 34 years at the helm of the Monarchs consisted of one game fewer than he had planned.

In games between evenly matched rivals playing for the highest of stakes, victory is often decided by the team that best takes advantage of the other’s miscues and mistakes. On Friday night, both teams had a major special teams gaffe, both of which were instrumental pieces leading to Bosco’s final defensive stand.

Early in the second half, the Monarchs missed the PAT following a long catch-and-run score over the middle by Marcus Brown. They failed to tie the score at 14, and though it was just one point with 20 minutes left to play, it would force Mater Dei into a two-point conversion with the game on the line.

That was so because Clarkson continued to drive the ball downfield quickly. He hit DeAndre Moore on a short pass, and Moore got a block and scored a 72-yard touchdown.

Mater Dei was in the most perilous position it has faced since the second game of the season against Bishop Gorman (Nev.). Like that game against the Gaels back in August, though, Mater Dei drove down the field. Elijah Brown and Jordan Onovughe connected for a ridiculous catch on third-and-17, getting a chance for a touchdown.

The Braves held strong in the red zone, forcing a fourth down. The Monarchs elected to get the field goal and rely on its defense to get one more stop.

Mater Dei’s unit did just that, breaking up an on-the-money throw from Clarkson to force the punt. The Braves set up their formation with just over 3:30 to play.

Opportunities and miscues. The Monarchs got their chance when the snap sailed over the punter’s head. It was a freebie special teams touchdown, but it was called back near the spot of recovery as the referees ruled an illegal forward pass when a Monarch ahead of the ball carrier reached for the ball and appeared to have simultaneous possession.

This forced Mater Dei to send its offense back out and use some time off the clock. Every second counted in this quick drive, in which Onovughe made an excellent catch and running back Jordon Davison pushed his way into the end zone from the one-yard line.

They lined up for a two-point conversion and ran a similar play featuring Davison as the ball carrier.

Bosco needed one more defensive stand. They got it. They pulled down Davison about a yard short, turning the ball back to its offense, needing just to run out the clock.

On third-and-six, Bosco’s offensive line came through once again. The unit did not allow a single sack in the game, but this play call was slightly different than the mass protection they had offered Clarkson throughout.

A screen pass. As the blitz came, the line gave Clarkson just enough time to get the ball out to Matayo Uiagalelei. As Uiagalelei turned upfield four yards behind the line of scrimmage — a full 10 yards from the clinching first-down marker — Sean Na’a put a strong block onto the defender and created the room needed to ice the game.

Rollinson did not use the final timeout, and Bosco head coach Jason Negro led the sideline celebration as the clock ticked closer to zero.

This game was the first CIF-SS championship game to take place at the Rose Bowl since 1944, as part of the Rose Bowl’s 100th anniversary celebration. With 78 total Div. I prospects, according to Sportsbook Live, it looked more like a college game than high school.

These two schools are consistently at the top of the charts, not just in California but nationally. Over the last half-decade, there has been no rival competition at the level of this game. On Friday, for the first time since 2019, Bosco got back on top.

See the full USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 recap

USA TODAY Sports Super 25 football recap: St. John Bosco tops No. 1 Mater Dei in epic showdown

Dramatics at the Rose Bowl will certainly create a shift in the next Super 25 football rankings.

The Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.) was the setting for the CIF Southern Section Football Division I Championship between Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, two of the best teams in the state and country — No. 1 vs. No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings.

It had been 78 years since the iconic Southern California stadium hosted the championship game, and in the words of the legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson, the outcome had only one acceptable response: Whoa, Nelly!

The game started off much like the first matchup back on October 7—which Mater Dei won, 17-7—with both teams showing signs of momentum while mistakes kept either from building anything substantial heading into halftime.

Score at the half: 7-7.

It was a different tone in the final 24 minutes, though.

Behind resilient quarterback play from Pierce Clarkson—who missed the second half of the first game and had a scare in this one as well—and an impressive defensive effort, St. John Bosco fed off the Monarchs’ mistakes. The tie quickly shifted to a 24-13 Braves’ lead.

(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Mind you, when you’re within sight of Hollywood, the only fitting way to end such a game would be dramatically. And both teams didn’t miss a beat in the script as the fourth quarter progressed.

Overtime seemed like the destined outcome, but alas, Mater Dei landed just short of a two-point attempt, needing another possession and a miracle to keep the undefeated season intact.

In the end, however, it wasn’t meant to be for the top team in the country.

And scene: St. John Bosco 24, Mater Dei 22.

(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

It’s the first time since 2019 that the Braves have beaten the Monarchs, with that epic comeback now having company with the 2022 championship game storyline.

As for the Super 25 rankings, the victory will weigh heavily on how the best teams in the country rank on Tuesday. And, of course, it raises a few questions…

Until then, here is how the rest of the action unfolded on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

USA TODAY Sports Super 25 Scoreboard

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Result: lost to St. John Bosco (Calif.) 24-22

2. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Season complete

3. Central (Miami, Fla.)

Result: defeated Norland (Fla.) 34-20

4. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

Result: defeated Mater Dei (Calif.) 24-22

5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Season complete

6. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Result: defeated Cardinal Newman (Fla.) 49-16

7. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Result: defeated Blanche Ely (Fla.) 35-7

8. Duncanville (Texas)

Result: defeated The Woodlands (Texas) 35-3

9. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)

Season complete

10. North Shore (Houston, Texas)

Result: defeated Cinco Ranch (Texas) 49-21

11. Westlake (Austin, Texas)

Result: defeated San Benito (Texas) 44-7

12. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Result: defeated  Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) 31-20

13. Guyer (Denton, Texas)

Result: defeated Byron Nelson (Texas) 59-41

14. Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.)

Idle

15. Katy (Texas)

Result: defeated Summer Creek (Texas) 35-7

16. Liberty (Peoria, Ariz.)

Result: defeated O’Connor (Ariz.) 56-26

17. Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Ga.)

Result: defeated Woodward Academy (Ga.) 56-28

18. Lakeland (Fla.)

Result: defeated Lake Minneola (Fla.) 41-6

19. Serra (San Mateo, Calif.)

Result: defeated Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) 41-14

20. Southlake Carroll (Texas)

Result: defeated McKinney (Texas) 42-35

21. Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.)

Result: defeated North Gwinnett (Ga.) 52-17

22. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

Result: defeated Gahanna Lincoln (Ohio) 31-7

23. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)

Result: defeated American Leadership Academy (Ariz.) 31-25

24. Buford (Ga.)

Season complete

25. Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.)

Result: lost to Jones (Fla.) 52-7

A top showdown at the Rose Bowl: Preview of Mater Dei-St. John Bosco rematch

A look at the championship clash between two of the top high school football teams in the country.

The high school football playoffs are heating up. On Friday, fans will be treated to a rematch of two of the top teams in the nation when No. 1 ranked Mater Dei and No. 4 St. John Bosco meet again in the playoffs.

Here’s a preview of what may be the biggest high school game of the year.

Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco (Part 2)

Mater Dei (12-0)

(File)

Last week the reigning national champion Monarchs crushed Los Alamitos (Calif.) 52-0 to advance. Sophomore phenom running back Jordon Davison led the charge once again, posting 124 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. Overall, Mater Dei is still undefeated this season and hasn’t won by any fewer than 10 points since they last faced Bosco back in early October.

St. John Bosco (11-1)

(File)

Meanwhile, the Braves’ only loss this year was in that first matchup with Mater Dei. In the last round, they cruised past Mission Viejo (Calif.), 41-6. Senior quarterback Pierce Clarkson only threw nine passes but three of them went for touchdowns on his way to a 149.3 QB rating.

In the first matchup between these teams, Mater Dei held St. John Bosco scoreless in the second half on their way to a 17-7 victory. It was mostly a defensive slugfest, highlighted by six total interceptions thrown by the quarterbracks.

However, both teams did have some success running the ball. The Braves were led by Junior running back Cameron Jones, who posted 108 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. As for the Monarchs, Jordon Davison managed 114 and a score of his own on 22 attempts.

Getting a quarterback going would be ideal this time around, but whoever runs the rock more effectively might have the advantage.

Mater Dei, St. John Bosco headline high school football playoff games this week

Here’s a preview of who Mater Dei and St. John Bosco will be facing next.

Two of the top-five teams in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings  have advanced to the next round of the CIF Southern Section Football Playoffs, setting up big-time games this weekend.

Here’s a preview of both Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.

Mater Dei (11-0) at Los Alamitos (9-2)

Mater Dei: This past week the Monarchs defeated JSerra Catholic at home, 54-14. Junior quarterback Elijah Brown threw two touchdown passes and Sophomore running back Jordon Davison rushed for three more. Mater Dei remains undefeated this season and most of their victories have been comfortable. They haven’t won by fewer than eight points since Week 2 against Nevada heavyweight Bishop Gorman.

Los Alamitos: To get here, the Griffins had to get past Long Beach Poly, which they did in a 52-42 win at home last week.  While there are two losses on their schedule, the last one was at the beginning of September against Arizona powerhouse Basha. Since then, they’ve been steamrolling everybody. Before their matchup with Poly they had outscored their opponents 394-132 over their last seven games, and have USC commit Malachi Nelson under center.

Watch live: NFHS Network

(File)

St. John Bosco (10-1) at Mission Viejo (10-1)

St. John Bosco: In their sectional matchup, the Braves beat Orange Lutheran by a score of 49-14. Senior quarterback Pierce Clarkson led the charge with five touchdown passes and a 141.2 QB rating. Bosco’s only loss this season came against Mater Dei in early October. They have dominated everybody else this year, winning all their other games by at least 27 points.

Mission Viejo: To advance, the Diablos defeated Centennial last Friday night in a 31-28 thriller. Senior receiver Edward Schultz scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. For the season, Mission Viejo’s only loss was against Long Beach Poly (35-30) back in Week 3.

Watch Live: NFHS Network

(File)

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Latest USA TODAY Sports Super 25 high school football rankings

Social Buzz of the Week: Interboro’s Abu Kamara leads top highlights from the playoff action

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

Super 25 high school football schedule: Next opponents for the top-ranked teams

Who are the next opponents for the nation’s top high school football teams?

The regular season is winding down for high school football teams across the country. That means there are few chances left for the field to catch Mater Dei, which has been on top of our Super 25 power rankings the entire season. The Monarchs notched another blowout win this past week, defeating Santa Margarita by a score of 52-7.

The best shot at unseating them belongs to second-ranked St. Frances Academy, a Baltimore team that has been idle for several weeks. However, the Panthers are back in action on Friday night. Here’s who they and the rest of the top 25 high school football teams around the country will be facing.

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Florida flips 4-star recruit from Florida State

High School Football Rewind: Watch this explosive TD run seal the game for Mater Dei over St. John Bosco

Needing a big play to put the Braves away, the Monarchs looked to Sophomore running back Jordon Davison and he came through.

The biggest high school football game of the year—Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco—turned out to be a defensive slugfest, a big change from their matchup last season, which ended in a 42-21 win for the Monarchs. 

This time around, neither quarterback threw a single touchdown pass and heading into the fourth quarter, the game was a close battle.

Mater Dei got out in front, and needing a big play to put the Braves away, called on Sophomore running back Jordon Davison.

And he certainly answered. 

Watch his 38-yard touchdown run to seal the deal for Mater Dei, winning by a score of 17-7.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjn861kss_N/

Davison (5-foot-11, 210 pounds) finished the evening with 114 rushing yards on 22 carries. He’s a five-star recruit, ranked the No. 1 running back in the class of 2025. Davison already has 36 offers on the table from college programs.

Next up on the schedule, Mater Dei will visit 6-1 Orange Lutheran (Calif.) while St. John Bosco hosts 3-4 JSerra Catholic (Calif.).

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Hot 5-star recruit Nyckoles Harbor moves official visit to LSU back

Live-Stream High School Football:

NFHS Network

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Super 25 football schedule for October 14-15, 2022

Super 25 football schedule: How to watch the top HS teams this week

Mater Dei (Calif.) took down St. John Bosco (Calif.) last week in battle between the two best high school football teams in the country. The Monarchs remain at the top of our Super-25 rankings, but the rest of the picture at the top has been shaken up.

Here is who the top teams will be playing this week, including the top 25 showdown in Georgia between Buford and Mill Creek.

More high school football stories

Bishop Gorman keeps rolling with 69-0 win

This goal line stand turns into pick-six

Super 25 football Week 6 recap: Mater Dei beats St. John Bosco in top showdown, Oakland stumbles

This past week Mater Dei defeated St. John Bosco to remain on top of the high school football world.

The top two teams in the country met up this past weekend. Mater Dei defeated St. John Bosco 17-7, remaining undefeated on the 2022 season and keeping their spot on top of the high school football world.

Elsewhere on the high end of the Super-25 rankings, Florida powers Central (Miami) and St. Thomas Aquinas won in-state matchups and Bishop Gorman blasted their opponents, 69-0.

Altogether it was another strong week for this teams, with the only loss coming for No. 22 ranked Oakland (Tenn.). Here are the scores for each team from Week 6.

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Bishop Gorman on a roll, dominant run continues with 69-0 win

Social Buzz of the Week: Week 6 highlights

Live-Stream High School Football:

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Lincoln Riley attended Mater Dei win over St John Bosco before beating Washington State

Before leading #USC to a 6-0 record on Saturday, Lincoln Riley attended the huge high school football game which got everyone’s attention on Friday.

The country’s top two high school football teams squared off Friday night in one of the biggest prep games of the past decade. The Mater Dei Monarchs (Santa Ana, Calif.) beat the St. John Bosco Braves (Bellflower, Calif.) 17-7 in a defensive battle.

The contest, which featured more than 70 Divison I prospects, showcased players who collectively hold hundreds of scholarship offers.

The highly-anticipated battle between the nation’s top two teams drew the attention of college coaches, including USC’s Lincoln Riley. One night before he coached the Trojans past Washington State, Riley was roaming the sideline to get an up-close look at the action.

Mater Dei’s defense was ready. The No. 2 Monarchs recorded five sacks and added two interceptions, one each from Zabien Brown and Daryus Dixson.

The star and MVP of the game went to 2025 USC Trojan target Jordon Davison. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound sophomore running back lived up to his five-star billing, rushing 22 times for 114 yards.

Mater Dei earned a No.1 ranking in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25.

Mater Dei holds off St. John Bosco, will remain atop USA TODAY Sports Super 25

The Bosco defense featured USC target and five-star edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei, four-star linebacker Kyngstonn Villiamu-Asa, and four-star cornerbacks (Louisville-bound) Aaron Williams and (Stanford commit) Jshawn Frausto-Ramos.

Braves linebacker Deven Bryant had 10 tackles including two for a loss. Uiagalelei and Villiamu-Asa combined for 13 tackles and the Braves had eight tackles for losses.

The Mater Dei defense had a even better night than their counterparts, limiting St. John Bosco quarterback and Louisville commit Pierce Clarkson and super sophomore Caleb Sanchez to 14 completed passes and 106 yards through the air. Clarkson, the Braves’ starter, missed the second half after suffering a concussion in the first half.

Look for a possible rematch between the two schools in the Open Division of the California state playoffs in two months. If Bosco can get better and Clarkson gets healthy, it could be a different outcome, but as of now, Mater Dei is top dog in the state and the nation.

Lincoln Riley surely took notes.

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