SACRAMENTO – St. John Bosco’s football team capped an impressive postseason by defeating Northern California powerhouse De La Salle of Concord, 56-33, in the CIF State Open Division final at Sacramento State on Saturday night.
In capturing their second Open Division title in four years, the Braves (13-2) handled the Spartans after defeating Mater Dei, 42-28, in the CIF-SS Division 1 final and edging Centennial of Corona, 49-47, in the Division 1 semifinals.
“It’s pretty special,” St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro said of the playoff run.
The Braves’ 56 points were the most scored against De La Salle since the legendary and now-retired Bob Ladouceur became the Spartans’ coach in 1979, according to Mark Tennis of CalHiSports.com.
St. John Bosco again rushed the ball well, just as it did in its victory against Mater Dei in the Division 1 final on Dec 3. The Braves racked up 357 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Senior Terrance Beasley led the Braves with 150 yards and two TDs on 24 carries, and junior Demetrious Flowers added 91 yards and three TDs on 16 carries.
St. John Bosco junior quarterback Re-al Mitchell completed 18 of 20 passes for 191 yards and two TDs.
De La Salle (11-2), a six-time Open Division champion, seemed to have life early in the fourth quarter. Trailing 42-27, the Spartans blocked a punt deep in the Braves’ territory but St. John Bosco quickly forced a fumble and drove 72 yards on seven plays for a 2-yard touchdown run by Flowers.
De La Salle junior Kairee Robinson rushed for 202 yards and two TDs on 21 carries. He broke a 60-yard TD run early in the opening period to give the Spartans their only lead. The Braves led, 35-17, at halftime.
St. John Bosco, the runner-up to Mater Dei in the Trinity League, entered Saturday ranked second in the nation, behind Bishop Gorman of Nevada, by High School Football America. Bishop Gorman finished 15-0.
Saturday’s attendance was 9,423.
