Final score: St. John Bosco 31, Orange Lutheran 12
The game: The Braves have become such a juggernaut in the Trinity League and nationally, they make news when they don’t rout an opponent by enough points to activate the running clock in the fourth quarter. It took running back Sean McGrew and St. John Bosco a while but they finally sprinted past the Lancers to clinch at least a share of the league crown and a Trinity League record 20th consecutive victory. McGrew rushed for 136 yards and two TDs while Quentin Davis was on target by passing for 213 yards. Orange Lutheran’s defense limited the big plays and the Lancers succeed chewing up clock to keep the Braves’ offense off the field.
Keys to the game: The Braves’ ability in the second half to convert on third down and their avoidance of turnovers. St. John Bosco went 1 for 4 on third down conversions in the first half, including a 0 for 3 to start as it punted on its first three possessions. Kudos to the Lancers’ defense, which has been led the past two week by TJ Augustin and Jordan Williams. But the Braves extended their drives in the second half and weren’t really stopped.
Case and point: Early in the fourth and leading 21-12, the Braves faced third-and-18 at the 50 after a 10-yard sack by Williams but Davis connected with Berekley Holman for a 33-yard gain to the 17. Holman, a thorn in the side of the Lancers’ all night with 93 yards receiving on four receptions, made a spectacular leaping catch along the sideline. On the next play, McGrew scored on a 17-yard TD run — untouched — for what turned out to be the knockout blow with 10:22 left.
The Braves later intercepted two pass — as the Lancers moved into desperation mode — but this third-down conversion from Davis and Holman was a crusher.
St. John Bosco also didn’t commit a turnover, putting the Lancers on plenty of long fields against a defense that returns eight starters from 2014.
Player of the game: McGrew sparked the Braves in the second half, especially on an 80-yard drive to open the third quarter. In the first half, he had 48 yards on seven carries but racked up 88 in the second half on 14 carries.
Key stat: The Lancers and their commitment to the ground attack — complete with options and even a reserve option to set up a score in the third quarter — outrushed the Braves, 196-171, so it was the production of Davis that helped Bosco’s high-scoring offense put up 31 points. And the Braves’ secondary, arguably the best in the league, held Lj Northington to 94 yards, thought he missed some open chances early.
Score at the start of the foruth: Bosco 21, Lancers 12.
They said it: “Yeah, it was the toughest game we played all year,” St. John Bosco coach coach Jason Negro said. “OLu did a great job.”
What it means: The Braves clinched at least a share of the league title and likely the No. 1 seed from the Trinity League for the Pac-5 Division playoffs. Mater Dei is in hot pursuit at 2-1 but Bosco, of course, defeated the Monarchs head to head. The Lancers appear in contention for third place if they can close next week with a victory against league-winless but county-ranked JSerra.
