St. John Bosco pounds Santa Margarita, 35-14

MISSION VIEJO — Visiting St. John Bosco of Bellflower rolled up 436 yards of offense and scored in every quarter to even its Trinity League record at 1-1 with a 35-14 victory over Santa Margarita on Friday night at Saddleback College.

The Braves (4-3 overall) held on to the ball for the majority of the first half, using a balanced offense to eat up the clock. After a 34-yard field-goal attempt was wide on its first drive, St..John Bosco forced a three-and-out on the first possession by the Eagles (3-4, 0-2).

Another sustained Braves drive ensued. A holding penalty negated a 19-yard scoring run by Martin Brown, but Bosco got on the board two plays later as Austin Mahr zig-zagged his way 21 yards for the score.

Penalties slowed the Braves throughout the night, Bosco being whistled 15 times for 125 yards.

Still, the Bosco defense overcame the penalties and played well, allowing just two first downs and 36 total yards in the first half. The Braves took a 14-0 lead as Keenan Dreyer found Bryce Treggs with a 11-yard scoring pass with 2:23 left in the second quarter.

Bosco capped an 87-yard drive late in the third with Mahr’s 61-yard scoring run. Mahr and Dreyer each had scoring runs in the fourth.

Santa Margarita got on the board midway through the fourth quarter on a 31-yard pass from Reiley Higgins to Jeff Emanuel.

After a short punt gave the Eagles the ball at the Braves 31 on the ensuing drive, a 19-yard pass to Emanuel set up a 3-yard scoring run by Higgins with 1:40 to play.

Santa Margarita plays its next two games on the road, facing Servite Friday at Cerritos College.