No. 2 St John Bosco Braves 2019 Preseason High School Football Preview
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Photo credit: Raymond Joyce Photography
Twitter: @RJPSports
Good luck! That is all there is to say for those teams lining up against St. John Bosco on the gridiron this season. The 2018 team was five points away from what more than likely would have been an undefeated season that would have been accompanied with a California state championship trophy and recognition as national champions by MaxPreps. As is, the Braves are once again loaded, ranked No. 2 in the nation in the preseason polls, and have a big chip on their collective shoulders ready to unleash some pent-up anger.
A year ago, the Braves were as good as any other team in the nation running their record to 13-1 with wins over Timpview (UT) and nationally ranked JSerra Catholic, Orange Lutheran, Oaks Christian, and even Mater Dei. St. John Bosco won the in-season battle 41-18 against their rivals, but injuries caught up with the team in the playoffs falling to the eventual champs 17-13. The offense, led by five-star quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, was a buzz saw through hopeful defenses putting up 49 points per game with much of the starting offense watching the game from the sidelines by halftime.
The offense had heavy-hitting seniors in running back George Holani (Boise State), 1,172 rush yards with 18 touchdowns and receivers Colby Bowman (Stanford) and Jake Bailey (Rice). Bowman had a tied team-high 46 receptions but lead the corps in yards with 920 finding the end zone eight times. Baily also secured 46 passes covering 809 yards with 11 scores posted.
The defense was ruthless allowing just 12 points per game led by a trio of senior linebackers in Spencer Lytle (Wisconsin), Ralen Goforth (USC), and Cole Aubury (Princeton). The play in the box was set by senior defensive tackles Na’im Rodman (Colorado) and Sua’ava Poti (Oregon). The secondary did not let up with four-star corner Chris Steele (USC) and three-star safety Titus Toler (Wisconsin).
2019 Braves Offense
Beyond the leadership in the pocket, another key point to the Braves 2019 roster is the offensive line. Gone is three-star Marist Talavou (Utah), but three-star guard Drake Metcalf (Stanford) returns as the leader in the trenches along with Logan Bednar, three-star Max Gibbs, Edward Riley, and newcomer Earnest Greene. With the line protecting the pocket, Uiagalelei will be back along with his 3,366 passing yards and 48 touchdowns. The Braves have a stable of running backs ready to cut loose led by three-star senior Nathaniel Jones (UCLA). Be on the lookout this season for a pair of 2022 tailbacks, Rayshon Luke and Jabari Bates.
When the ball is in the air, the options seem limitless with Class of 2020 four-star receivers Logan Loya and Kris Hutson (Oregon). The position group gets deeper with 2021 four-star Beaux Collins and three-star Jode McDuffie. Hutson gave a standout performance with the Braves last season with 46 receptions for 844 yards with a team-high 13 touchdowns. Loya joins the Braves after spending the 2018 season catching passes from four-star QB Ryan Hilinski (South Carolina) good for 1,057 yards off 73 receptions with 11 scores, all team-highs. Look for a breakout season in receiver/athlete Jonathan Vaughns.
QB DJ Uiagalelei on how the Braves offense looks in fall camp: “We look good. Our offense is looking good. Everyone is healthy. We are getting the plays down and are going 100 percent in practice. We are looking very good.”
2019 Braves Defense
Considering all the talent the Braves lost on defense, one would think this unit was depleted of playmakers, but that is not the case. Three-star defensive tackle Kobe Pepe (USC) is the leader in the trenches welcoming newcomers AJ Gatto and Noa Masui at defensive end to help bolster the trenches. A fresh face getting a lot of attention already is 2022 tackle Brendin Benoit. The linebacking unit has one of the best in the state in 2021 four-star Kourt Williams (Ohio State). Playing alongside Williams is Fresno State commit Hunter Kaupiko and Class of 2021 USC commit Ma’a Gaoteote.
The secondary is also loaded with talent paced by three-star senior safety Jake Newman (UCLA). Other senior leaders in the back four includes Josh Alford and three-stars Mark Ard Jr., James Smith (Washington). A rising 2022 talent not to overlook is Tayvion Beasley.
DT Kobe Pepe on how the team looks in fall camp: “Our defense is looking strong. Since fall camp, along with our senior group, we have some young guns that will definitely help us in games and give us depth. The key to our success will be playing as one unit, if we can do that it will be tough on the offenses we face.”
The Schedule
If losing 13 Class of 2019 players to Division-I college football rosters does not freak out the Braves fan base, perhaps the schedule will. The season starts with a cross-country Top 10 showdown pitting the No. 2 team in the nation against the No. 8 team in DeMatha. The schedule does not let up with Don Bosco Prep, the No. 3 ranked team in New Jersey next. The schedule then rolls over to Liberty (NV); also, the third ranked team in their respective state, presenting yet another big out of state contest. If playing the third ranked team in Maryland was not enough, the Braves also get the fifth ranked team in Our Lady of Good Counsel. The non-conference schedule ends with the 31st ranked team nationally, Hawaii’s Mililani High School.
The Trinity League schedule, as always, does not let up. The Braves go against two more Top 20 teams in No. 18 JSerra Catholic and No. 1 Mater Dei. The silver lining of the schedule is splitting road and home with JSerra and Mater Dei. The season ending three-game run at home should add a little something to boost the spirits through a grueling 2019 schedule.
LB Kourt Williams on the Braves team overall: “As a whole, the team looks great. Offense is executing and looking good. Our defense is looking really good as well. We are really reading our keys and communicating. I am looking forward to Saturday (DeMatha).”
St. John Bosco’s 2019 Schedule
Aug. 24 vs. No. 8 DeMatha – Hyattsville, MD – at Panish Family Stadium
Aug. 30. vs. Don Bosco Prep – at Panish Family Stadium – No. 3 in NJ
Sept. 6 vs. Liberty – Henderson, NV – at Bishop Gorman – Las Vegas, NV – No. 3 in NV
Sept. 13 vs. Our Lady of Good Counsel – Olney, MD – at Panish Family Stadium – No. 5 in MD
Sept. 21 at No. 31 Mililani – Mililani, HI – Mililani High School – No. 2 in HI
Bye
Oct. 4 at Servite – Anaheim, CA – Orange Coast College – No. 20 in CA
Oct. 11 at No. 18 JSerra Catholic – San Juan Capistrano, CA – Jserra Catholic High School
Oct. 18 vs. Orange Lutheran – Orange, CA – at Orange Coast College – No. 24 in CA
Oct. 25 vs. No. 1 Mater Dei – Santa Ana, CA – at Panish Family Stadium
Nov. 1 vs. Santa Margarita – Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – at Panish Family Stadium