High school football: St. John Bosco releases 2021 schedule filled with heavyweight opponents

With the 2021 high school football season less than 100 days away, schools have begun to release their schedules. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), the 2019 MaxPreps National Champions, is the latest to do so. Each year, head coach Jason Negro puts together a challenging schedule and the 2021 season will be no different.

The Braves open the season Aug. 20 at the Nike Kickoff Classic. And while the opponent and location hasn't yet been announced multiple sources report the likely opponent will be Florida power Miami Central.

St. John Bosco faces two out-of-state opponents in back-to-back weeks Sept. 10 and Sept. 17, hosting East St. Louis (Ill.) before traveling to play Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.).

East St. Louis has won 19 of its last 20 games, including a 2019 6A title. The top-rated wide receiver in the Class of 2022 on 247Sports composite rankings — Luther Burden — transferred to the Illinois power before the spring and led the Flyers to a 5-1 season hauling in 35 receptions for 747 yards and seven touchdowns.

Oscar Smith is coming off a 9-0 spring season, winning its first state title since 2011. The Tigers outscored the opposition 464-44 and beat South County (Lorton) 62-21 in the Class 6 championship.

The Braves get their bye week after Oscar Smith before opening Trinity League action Oct. 1 at home against Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). These two SoCal powers squared off to close out the spring season with the Monarchs winning 34-17. Both teams return a lot of talent and will be ranked in the Top 5 when we release our preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings on June 23.

Bosco's regular season finale comes Oct. 29 against Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) and expect the Friars to begin the 2021 season ranked in the Top 25.

This will be Negro's 12th season as head coach, turning St. John Bosco into a national power. He led the Braves to their first CIF Open Division state championship in 2013 with Josh Rosen under center. They also won state titles in 2016 and 2019. DJ Uiagalelei led the 2019 team to the school's first MaxPreps National Championship.

The talented Braves should be in contention to compete for a second national championship in three seasons.

Four-star offensive lineman Earnest Greene III, four-star running back Rayshon Luke and four-star cornerback Tayvion Beasley are among the 12 players rated as a three-star recruit or higher in the Class of 2022.

Five-star defensive end/tight end Matayo Uiagalelei, four-star safety R.J. Jones and four-star quarterback Pierce Clarkson are among the eight players rated as a three-star recruit or higher in the Class of 2023.

Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Marcelles Williams and Peyton Woodyard lead a loaded Class of 2024 for the Braves. They all played as freshman during the spring.

2021 St. John Bosco football schedule

Aug. 20 — opponent TBA

Aug. 27 — vs. Alemany (Mission Hills)

Sept. 3 — vs. Bishop Amat (La Puente)

Sept. 10 — vs. East St. Louis (Ill.)

Sept. 17 — at Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.)

Oct. 1 — vs. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)

Oct. 8 — at JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano)

Oct. 15 — at Orange Lutheran (Orange)

Oct. 22 — at Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita)

Oct. 29 — vs. Servite (Anaheim)