With all this waiting and anticipation, it didn’t take long to decide. Third place and host St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) scored three touchdowns in the first six minutes on Friday, then let the defense do the rest by winning the opening night of 35-12 against No. 15 Central (Miami, Fla.). Perennial National Power War.
Jabari Bates scored for three touchdowns, two in the first four minutes and another early in the fourth quarter as the Braves (1-0) took a lot of steam out of the first major cross-state fight since the epidemic.
The Rockets (0-1), a two-time defending Florida 6A champ, tightened their defenses after an early Bosco attack, led by tackling precision all-state performer linebacker Wesley Bissanthe and Ruben Bain. But they didn’t gather nearly enough crime on their first trip to California.
“I am most pleased with our physique and ability to be as fast as they are across the board,” said St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro. “I was afraid their team might be faster than us, but it wasn’t.”
The Braves recovered a hook in the first possession of Central and immediately cashed in on a 3-yard catch and run by the Bates, making it 7-0 before two minutes had elapsed.
After a quick three-out, Bates was again in the final zone for a 31-yard run, making it 14-0. The rocket went nowhere in their third drive. Following a short punt, Bosco returned to the last zone, this time a 3-yard touchdown pass from Pierce Clarkson to Jahleel McClean. Clarkson added another TD pass in the final four minutes of the game.
By the middle of the first quarter, Bosco was leading 21-0, and it was on its way.
Central allowed just 78 points in a brief nine-game 2020 championship season, seizing its seventh state title since 2010. Six minutes later on Friday, the Miami program was about one-third of the total thanks to Bosco for short fields.
But the Rockets did not travel nearly 2,800 miles to fly, leaving Bosco determined to hold the remaining half scoreless with field goals of 40 and 39 yards near 21-6.
Towards the end of the half, Caleb Mackenzie missed an opportunity to take possession of Central after placing the ball inside the Interception Bosco 20. Half-time.
“I like the way we ran and played football very well,” Negro said.
In the 28-yard run, Bates scored 28-6 in 11 minutes in his third touchdown. The rocket finally came to the last zone to respond as Dylan pulled a 10-yard pass from Tuloch with six minutes left. Braves added late in the 55-yard touchdown pass from Clarkson to Cheddon James.
This was the first meeting between the two national powers. They were scheduled to play in Miami last season but the epidemic closed California’s fall season.
Central has been bid farewell before returning to the West to face Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), the team that was defeated on the street in 2017. Bosco will host the state’s No. 9 team Alemani (Mission Hills) on 27 August.
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