St. John Bosco, after a dull first half, takes control against Chaminade

1/12

St. John Bosco quarterback Re-al Mitchell walks into the end zone untouched on a read option keeper during a game against Chaminade on Sept. 8.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

2/12

St. John Bosco running back Demetrious Flowers (5) prepares for a collision with Chaminade defensive back Christopher Rankins (2) on a run up the middle on Sept. 8.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

3/12

St. John Bosco receiver Jake Bailey lays out and makes a catch for a first down against Chaminade on Sept. 8.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

4/12

Chaminade kick returner Michael Erhart tries to escape the tackle attempt of St. John Bosco’s Logun Richmond on Sept. 8.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

5/12

St. John Bosco running back George Holani (28) torpedoes his way into the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown run while absorbing a hit from a Chaminade defender on Sept. 8.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

6/12

St. John Bosco running back Demetrious Flowers (5) runs past two Chaminade defenders and into the end zoneo for an apparent touchdown, but the play was called back due to a penalty.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

7/12

Chaminade defensive back Chris Rankins comes across to intercept a St. John Bosco pass at the end of the field half on Sept. 8.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

8/12

St. John Bosco receiver Josh Delgado turns upfield after a catch against Chaminade on Sept. 8.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

9/12

St. John Bosco safety Jaiden Woodbey attempts to catch a kickoff in the end zone during a game against Chaminade on Sept. 8.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

10/12

Chaminade receiver Michael Wilson, a Stanford commit, catches a pass before a game against St. John Bosco on Sept. 8.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

11/12

Chaminade defensive lineman Alex Gubner grabs St. John Bosco quarterback Re-al Mitchell and pulls him down for a sack in the first half.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

12/12

la-1504935374-4a1afi3sgn-snap-image (Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

By Devin Ugland

Sept. 8, 2017 10:50 PM PT

The simplest way for a high school football team to gauge how good it is compared with the elites is to go out and play one.

That’s exactly why Chaminade coach Ed Croson put in a call to Jason Negro and set up a game against nationally recognized St. John Bosco.

The No. 6-ranked Eagles held their own against the No. 2 Braves through three quarters, but Bosco took control in the fourth behind its electric running game and stout defense as it defeated Chaminade 31-17 at El Camino College.

Dual-threat quarterback Re-al Mitchell and running backs Demetrious Flowers and George Holani combined for 248 yards and two touchdowns on the night.

The first half was really a mix of stagnant offenses and big defensive plays, resulting in an unexpectedly low-scoring 7-0 St. John Bosco lead, but the Braves opened the third quickly with a 32-yard field goal from Jacob Garcia.

Bosco’s defense then forced Chaminade into a three-and-out, and the Braves took advantage with a 20-yard run from Flowers to set up a 15-yard run from Mitchell and eventually a 1-yard score on a quarterback keeper to give Bosco a 17-0 lead with 1:12 left in the third.

It didn’t take the Eagles long to respond, 12 seconds to be precise, as Ryan Stevens found an uncovered Michael Wilson for an 80-yard touchdown, cutting the Bosco lead back to 10, 17-7, with a minute left in the third.

Mitchell capped off a nine-play, 60-yard scoring drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to Josh Delgado, and Holani put the finishing touches on the victory with a 36-yard touchdown run, giving Bosco a 31-10 lead, with 3:37 to play.

Chaminade’s six offensive series in the first half resulted in five punts and an interception thrown by quarterback Stevens.

Unfortunately for Stevens, and the Eagles, that pick ended up in the hands of Ohio State-commit Jaiden Woodbey, who, with plenty of space and a couple of blocks, took it 82 yards for a touchdown with 1:55 to go in the second quarter.

The Braves spoiled two scoring opportunities in the first half as Garcia missed a 29-yard field goal and wide receiver Jake Bailey lost a fumble at the goal line.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

Follow Eric Sondheimer on Twitter @latsondheimer

St. John Bosco, after a dull first half, takes control against Chaminade

More to Read

More From the Los Angeles Times