High school football: No. 1 St. John Bosco blows past Allen 52-14 in Texas

St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) showed why it is the No. 1-ranked team in high school football with a wire-to-wire 52-14 victory on the road over Allen (Texas) in a game that saw the Braves score 44 unanswered points.

For a second consecutive season, a California powerhouse has gone into the unfriendly confines of the Lone Star State and emerged with a lopsided win. Defending national champion Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) defeated Duncanville (Texas) 45-3 in the opening week of last season.

Louisville pledge Pierce Clarkson completed 9 of 19 pass attempts for 156 yards and three touchdowns, also carrying eight times for 62 yards and one additional score.

The Braves' defense opened the scoring with a safety to make things 2-0 with 9:19 remaining in the first quarter after a fumbled snap was jumped on by Allen quarterback Mike Hawkins in the end zone.

After returning the punt to their own 45 yard line, Clarkson connected with DeAndre Moore for a 55-yard touchdown on the next play from scrimmage to put them up 9-0 with 9:01 remaining in the first.

Allen responded quickly with an 84-yard drive that culminated with a five-yard touchdown run from Hawkins to cut the deficit to 9-7 two minutes later.

The final score of the first quarter was a seven-yard strike from Clarkson to five-star Class of 2024 defensive lineman and tight end Matayo Uiagalelei to extend the lead to 16-7 with 3:18 to go in the first quarter. St. John Bosco outscored Allen 21-0 in the second quarter to extend its lead to 38-7 at the half. Chauncey Sylvester accounted for a 20-yard touchdown run, Cameron Jones ran it in from five yards out and Clarkson connected with Hayden Eligon II for a 33-yard score for the final score of the first half.

Clarkson opened the second half with a four-yard scamper to give the Braves a 45-7 lead with 9:13 remaining in the third quarter. The Braves took their starters out following Clarkson's score.

Backup quarterback Caleb Sanchez didn't take long to get himself in the scoring column as he connected with Israel Polk for a 48-yard touchdown with 6:01 to go in the third period.

St. John Bosco (1-0), which was crowned MaxPreps National Champion in 2019 and have claimed Open Division state championships in 2013, 2016 and 2019 under head coach Jason Negro, open the season with a strong out-of-state victory. The Braves travel to Bishop Amat (La Puente) next Friday.

Allen (0-1), who claimed the MaxPreps national title in 2014 behind Kyler Murray and have won 10 or more games every season since 2012, look to rebound under first-year head coach Lee Wiginton. The Eagles host King (Houston) next Friday.