MISSION VIEJO — No. 1
St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) was simply too much for
Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) on Saturday in the CIF Open Division finals, routing the Padres 45-0 with a running clock in the fourth quarter to all but secure the top spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings. The win was the fourth state title for Bosco under coach Jason Negro, who won with the Braves in 2013, 2016 and 2019.
Bosco (13-1) scored on four of its five first-half possessions, adding a pick-6 and tacked that gave the Braves a seemingly insurmountable 35-0 lead before halftime.
As prolific as the St. John Bosco was, its defense was equally up to the task, holding Serra (13-1) to negative-6 yards offense in the first quarter and turning the Padres back on two trips to the red zone. Bosco's defense forced five turnovers leading to 24 points and held Serra to negative-7 yards rushing. Three of the Padres' six first-half drives ended in turnovers while the remaining three ended with punts on 10 total plays.
St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro celebrates with quarterback Pierce Clarkson and cornerback Aaron Williams during the trophy celebration following their 45-0 win over Serra in the CIF Open Division finals on Saturday at Saddleback College. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
led Bosco with 92 yards rushing and a pair of scores,
Cameron Jones ran for 52 yards and a pair of 2-yard scores and
Pierce Clarkson was 9 of 17 passing for 187 yards and a touchdown.
The Braves marched down the field on their opening possession, scoring on a 2-yard Jones set up by a couple of big pass plays from Clarkson, a 33-yarder to Jones and a 10-yarder to
Israel Polk.
Leading 7-0 after the first 12 minutes of play, Bosco pounced in the second quarter scoring 28 points on a Jones 18-yard rushing TD, a 31-yard pick-6 from
Aaron Williams, a
Khalil Warren 14-yard outburst into the end zone and capped the half with a 45-yard scoring strike from Clarkson to
DeAndre Moore.
However, it wasn't just Jason Negro's offense that was in the limelight as its defense flew around the Saddleback field forcing two interceptions and a fumble in the opening half. And when Serra mounted a few drives in the first half — the Padres got their first first down in the second quarter — they all ended fruitless.
St. John Bosco defensive back Aaron Williams dives for the pylon on his 31-yard pick-6 in the first half of the Braves' rout of Serra on Saturday in the CIF Open Division finals at Saddleback College. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
Serra's best chance to crack the ice came with under four minutes remaining in the half with a trip to the red zone. However, Bosco's
Khmori House sacked Padres' quarterback
Maealiuaki Smith, forcing a fumble recovered by
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa. That turnover led to the Clark-to-Moore score three plays later.
The Padres fumbled on their opening possession of the second half but Bosco had to settle for a 26-yard Marcus Lee field goal and a 38-0 lead.
Bosco cracked the 40-point mark two plays after a
Marcelles Williams interception as Warren busted off a 57-yard scoring run with under a minute left in the third period as the fourth quarter was set to play under a running clock.
Cameron Jones makes a acrobatic catch in the first half of the Braves CIF Open Division finals win over Serra on Saturday at Saddleback College. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
Bosco wide receiver DeAndre Moore looks for more yards after a catch from Pierce Clarkson in the CIF Open Division finals at Saddleback College on Saturday. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
Khalil Warren looks to bully his way into the end zone for St. John Bosco in its CIF Open DIvision finals win Saturday over Serra. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
The St. John Bosco football team gathers for a team photo with the CIF Open Division trophy following their 45-0 win over Serra on Saturday at Saddleback College. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
St. John Bosco quarterback Pierce Clarkson holds the CIF Open Division trophy high after the Braves' 45-0 win over Serra on Saturday at Saddleback College. (Photo: Louis Lopez)
