St. John Bosco loses in OT to Florida power

No high school football team in California has been able to neutralize the powerful Bellflower St. John Bosco offense in recent years. The Braves finally found their match during a trip to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Friday night to face national power St. Thomas Aquinas.

With a defensive line that was relentless and an all-star secondary, Aquinas fought the Braves to a 3-3 deadlock at the end of regulation and then won it in overtime on quarterback Curt Casteel’s one-yard touchdown run to come away with a 9-3 victory.

“They’re three-time state champs and it was one of the best defensive units we’ve ever played,” St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro said. “We didn’t help ourselves.”

The Braves received an impressive performance from their defensive unit, but two missed field goals proved costly, along with penalties that stalled drives. St. John Bosco quarterback Re-al Mitchell had three passes intercepted.

JSerra rolls

San Juan Capistrano JSerra made a successful debut under new coach Pat Harlow, defeating Newport Beach Corona del Mar, 45-27.

Quarterback Matt Robinson stood out. Robinson, who committed to Montana, completed 19 of 30 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns.

Robinson hit junior Munir McClain for a 66-yard touchdown, helping put JSerra ahead 21-13. McClain and his older brother, Abdul-Malik, a senior committed to UCLA, transferred in from Santa Margarita. Munir finished with 91 yards receiving, and Abdul-Malik had 11⁄2 sacks.