The St. John Bosco Braves (7-3, 2-3) lost 48-31 Friday night to the Servite Friars (7-3, 4-1).    The loss was Bosco’s 3^rd in their final 4 games, each by double-digits.  Despite starting the season 6-0 the Braves knew their season would be measured by their showings against Orange Lutheran, Mater Dei, and Servite.  But not only did the Braves go winless against the Big 3 but in those 3 games they gave up 117 points, while allowing only 85 points in their other 7 games.  Friday night was another excruciating one for the Bosco because like the Lutheran and Mater Dei games there were opportunities for the Braves to prove they belonged with the elite of Southern California, but they just could not overcome their own mistakes. 

The Braves’ Achilles heel during Trinity League has been their run defense, and Servite came out right away attacking on the ground.  The Friars ran it 7 times during a 10-play, 76 yard opening drive that resulted in a Gregory Portis 25 yard touchdown.  But Bosco’s offense came to play too, and on 4^th-and-2 on the Servite 30, Keith Price found Leon McFadden who made a great play to get into the end zone and tie it up.  The next drive Servite ran it 9 times and got a pass interference penalty allowing them to take a 14-7 lead without even completing a pass. 

Bosco started the 2^nd quarter with a lot of Keith Price on the ground- 4 carries, 33 yards on the first drive alone- but it was an Austin Mahr 3^rd down 24 yard run that really got the drive moving.  From 28 yards away Keith Price found Will Shamburger to tie the game at 14.  Bosco’s defense got the first stop of the game and Bosco’s offense moved well down the field but a bad exchange between Price and Alex Fletcher- who had 6 carries, 82 yards on the day- led to the first Bosco turnover.  Servite took only 4 plays to move the 69 yards to capitalize and take a 21-14 lead.  With little time remaining in the 2^nd quarter Bosco marched to the Servite 39, and a big Keith Price scramble followed by a late hit set the Braves up with only enough time for a field goal attempt.  Braves kicker Auburn Jimenez has already hit a 51-yarder this year, and he nailed this 49-yard attempt too; making it Bosco 17- Servite 21 at the half.

The 3^rd quarter opened with Leon Brooks taking the kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and giving the Braves their first lead of the game.  But Servite, throwing it 5 times and running 3 more, marched 80 yards to take back the lead 28-24.  Bosco fumbled on the 2^nd play of the next drive, and the Friars needed only 2 plays to go up 34-24.  The Braves tried to respond but their field goal attempt was wide.  Running it 10 times in a row, Servite went 80 yards again, this time making it 41-24. 

Bosco’s defense held to start the 4^th and Keith Price- who threw for 184 and 2 TDs and ran for 133 yards and 1 more- led the Braves down the field to cut the deficit to 10.  The Braves couldn’t get the onside kick but the defense did force a punt.  Starting deep on their own side, down by 10 points with a little more than 4 minutes to go, the Braves looked like they could possibly come back; just as they had in the previous league games.  And just like those previous games, when the Braves needed it the most, they just couldn’t get it done.  The 2^nd play of the drive ended in an interception, followed by Servite adding a TD to make the final score 48-31.

Earlier this year Servite lost to Mater Dei but beat Lutheran, and Thursday night Lutheran beat Mater Dei, which meant that Servite’s win over Bosco set up a three-way split of the Trinity League- without a doubt one of the toughest conferences in the country.  And it is that conference strength that might allow Bosco to make it into the playoffs (CIF Playoffs are determined this Sunday).   But whether or not they make the playoffs, this year marks the end of a chapter for Bosco- with seniors Keith Price, Leon McFadden, Will Shamburger, Thomas Hawkes, and Steven Garcia all having played their final game for the Braves.

Friday night was typical for the Braves this season: they were able to score 31- the ninth time they scored at least 21 points this year, but they also gave up over 300 yards rushing and turned the ball over 3 times.  Last year Bosco went 3 and 6, so to get 7 wins this year is quite a turnaround; but considering the talent and the missed chances, this season has to be a bit disappointing for the Braves.