California high school football: Defending MaxPreps National Champion St. John Bosco doubles up Sierra Canyon in season opener

It had been 455 days since defending MaxPreps National Champion St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) took the field in a high school football game that counted. No worries as the Braves cruised to a 42-21 win Saturday night over Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) to begin the 2021 spring season.

The Trailblazers scored on their opening drive as Daniel Duran found Virginia Tech signee DJ Harvey for a 26-yard score but the Braves would answer with three straight touchdowns to take a 21-7 lead. Rayshon Luke, Michael Hayes and sophomore quarterback Pierce Clarkson all rushed for a score in the first half.

Clarkson and junior Katin Houser alternated possessions under center and both played well. Replacing DJ Uiagalelei at quarterback is a steep hill, but both showed why FBS offers are starting to pile up.

Sierra Canyon cut the deficit to 21-14 in the final minutes of the opening half when Duran found tight end Henry Deakins from 19-yards out for his second scoring strike. Those would be the final points the Braves defense allowed outside of a late, fourth-quarter touchdown with the reserves playing.

St. John Bosco dominated the second half as Luke rushed for a 67-yard score on the opening possession after Clarkson found sophomore standout Matayo Uiagalelei on a third-down conversion. DJ's younger brother stood out on both sides of the ball and showed why he's the fifth-rated recruit in California from the Class of 2023.

Houser made a big-time play alluding pressure and rolling outside the pocket to find Chedon James for a 21-yard touchdown that increased the Braves lead to 35-14 with 4:28 left in the third quarter. The pair connected on a 41-yard touchdown late in the fourth.

Sierra Canyon freshman quarterback Alonzo Contreras connected with Jason Jones for the final score of the night with seven seconds remaining.

Jason Negro's squad dominated in the trenches. Four-star junior Earnest Greene, USC signee Maximus Gibbs and senior Edward Riley created huge holes for the running game while also allowing Houser and Clarkson plenty of time in the pocket.

The Brave's defense forced three turnovers and shined on all three levels.

The Braves next face Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) on March 20 while Sierra Canyon looks to bounce back March 19 against St. Bernard (Playa del Rey).