News Summary
In a thrilling matchup, the No. 1 St. John Bosco Braves defeated the No. 4 Santa Margarita Eagles 27-14. Quarterback Koa Malau’ulu excelled with four touchdown passes, leading the Braves to an 8-0 record this season. Despite strong efforts from the Eagles, including two touchdowns from Trent Mosley, they fell to 5-3. Both teams showcased their defensive strengths, but St. John Bosco’s penalties proved challenging. Looking ahead, Santa Margarita will face Orange Lutheran, while St. John Bosco prepares for Servite.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – In a highly anticipated clash on Friday, October 17, the No. 1 St. John Bosco Braves clinched a decisive 27-14 victory against the No. 4 Santa Margarita Eagles at Trabuco Hills High School. The win maintained St. John Bosco’s unbeaten record, bringing their season tally to 8-0, while Santa Margarita fell to 5-3.
The Braves’ quarterback, Koa Malau’ulu, delivered an impressive performance, throwing for 285 yards and completing four touchdown passes. His efficiency was evident as he connected on 16 of 21 attempts, marking a standout game for the young player.
The game kicked off with an explosive start for St. John Bosco, as Malau’ulu threw a 62-yard touchdown pass to Carson Clark, quickly putting the Braves ahead. Shortly after, another scoring play found Daniel Odom catching a 25-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 14-0 within the first quarter.
Santa Margarita responded with determination, narrowing the gap with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from senior wide receiver Trent Mosley. He contributed significantly to his team’s efforts, recording two rushing touchdowns and gaining 93 yards on nine carries.
Following this exchange, St. John Bosco widened their lead to 21-7 as Malau’ulu connected with DJ Tubbs for an 11-yard touchdown. However, Santa Margarita rallied back with an 80-yard drive in the third quarter that culminated in another touchdown from Mosley, this time a 4-yard run, bringing the score to 21-14.
Not to be outdone, St. John Bosco extended their lead once more, as Madden Williams executed a spectacular 35-yard leaping touchdown catch to set the final score at 27-14. Throughout the match, both teams exhibited strong defensive skills, but St. John Bosco faced challenges with discipline, accumulating a total of 20 penalties for 156 yards, in stark contrast to Santa Margarita’s three penalties for 15 yards.
This match showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with St. John Bosco averaging just 8.9 points allowed per game, while Santa Margarita held to an average of 12.6. In a missed opportunity to tie the game, Santa Margarita also failed to convert a 28-yard field goal before halftime.
Both teams entered this game buoyed by significant recent performances; Santa Margarita had achieved an upset victory against Mater Dei the previous week, while St. John Bosco came in determined to preserve their unbeaten streak. Looking ahead, Santa Margarita will next face Orange Lutheran, while St. John Bosco prepares to meet Servite in what promises to be another exciting matchup.
As coaches analyzed the game, it was evident that despite the penalty issues, St. John Bosco’s preparation paid off, while Santa Margarita recognized the quality of the Braves as they reflected on missed chances throughout the contest.
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Additional Resources
- SI.com
- OC Register
- USA Today HSS
- Los Angeles Times
- MaxPreps
- Wikipedia: High school football in California

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