High school football: No. 3 St. John Bosco hangs on to beat East St. Louis 42-26

By Mitch Stephens Sep 10, 2021, 10:30pm

Braves get big game from junior quarterback Pierce Clarkson to hold off never-say-die Flyers.

In high school football's most eagerly-anticipated national matchup Friday night, No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) held off a late rally to beat East St. Louis (Ill.) 42-26. The victorious Braves scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter to take control.

East St. Louis (2-1), which has already knocked off two of the top teams in Missouri and will face No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) at a neutral site in Mississippi later this season, scored all 26 of its points in the second half.

St. John Bosco (4-0) junior quarterback Pierce Clarkson had touchdown runs of 51 and 10 yards while Chedon James added a 17-yard TD run off a double reverse to give the Braves a 21-0 halftime lead.

When Rayshon Luke broke off a 60-yard touchdown run to start the third quarter, this one appeared long gone.
Bosco junior quarterback Pierce Clarkson rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns.
Bosco junior quarterback Pierce Clarkson rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns.
Photo by Heston Quan
The Flyers entered 55-6 since 2016 under coach Darren Sunkett and feature numerous FBS prospects, including five-star receiver Luther Burden III (Oklahoma commit), top sophomore quarterback Robert Battle and Arkansas State-bound cornerback Ahmad Robinson.

East St. Louis moved the ball well in the first half but couldn't turn it into points. After a 12-yard touchdown pass from Katin Houser to Matayo Uiagalelei made it 35-0, the Flyers finally got things going.

Battle completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Burden to cut the lead to 35-6. Burden was just getting started. His 65-yard punt return for a score, closed the gap to 35-12 late in the third quarter.



The Flyers got two more fourth-quarter touchdowns on a fumble return and an 18-yard pass from Ryan Boyd to Burden for his third touchdown, making it 35-26. But Clarkson put it away with an 86-yard touchdown pass to Logan Booher, making it 42-26.

East St. Louis returns home to face Belleville East (Belleville).

Bosco, which opened the season with an impressive 35-12 win over Florida power Miami Central, travels all the way across the country next week to face Virginia's top program Oscar Smith (Chesapeake).
East St. Louis receiver Luther Burden III
East St. Louis receiver Luther Burden III
Photo by Heston Quan
A St. John Bosco defender pressures quarterback Robert Battle.
A St. John Bosco defender pressures quarterback Robert Battle.
Photo by Heston Quan
Bosco quarterback Pierce Clarkson (right) celebrates one of his two rushing touchdowns with teammate Jahlil McClain.
Bosco quarterback Pierce Clarkson (right) celebrates one of his two rushing touchdowns with teammate Jahlil McClain.
Photo by Heston Quan