Orange Lutheran vs. St. John Bosco

It didn't come easily, but St. John Bosco improved to 9-0 and clinched at least a share of its fourth consecutive Trinity League championship with a 31-12 victory over Orange Lutheran on Thursday night at Orange Coast College.

It was the first time this season the Braves haven't had a running clock in the fourth quarter. It was their 20th consecutive Trinity League win. They're 4-0 this season in the Trinity.

St. John Bosco trailed, 6-0, until Cross Poyer scored on a three-yard run with 16 seconds left in the second quarter for a 7-6 halftime lead.

The Braves took charge in the second half behind quarterback Quentin Davis, who completed 15 of 19 passes for 219 yards. Sean McGrew rushed for 137 yards in in 21 carries and had two touchdowns.

Orange Lutheran's defense was fabulous in the first half but the Braves wore the Lancers down in the second half. Traveon Beck and Clive Manuao had interceptions for St. John Bosco.

Orange Lutheran (5-4, 2-2) has now lost to the top four teams in the state _ De La Salle, Corona Centennial, St. John Bosco and Mater Dei. Asked who's best, linebacker Jordan Williams said, "De La Salle is by far."

—Eric Sondheimer

St. John Bosco Coach Jason Negro has to like how his team is responding to the challenge Orange Lutheran has been presenting.

The Braves have opened a 28-12 lead early in the fourth quarter after a 17-yard touchdown run by Sean McGrew.

Berkeley Holman made a terrific 33-yard reception to set up the TD. It's the first time this season St. John Bosco hasn't had a running clock in the fourth quarter.

—Eric Sondheimer

St. John Bosco's offense is finally picking up steam.

Terrence Beasley scored on a 13-yard run to give the Braves a 21-12 lead over Orange Lutheran with 2:22 left in the third quarter.

Quarterback Quentin Davis made some clutch passes to keep the drive alive.

—Eric Sondheimer

Milshon Lathan caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from L.J. Northington to pull Orange Lutheran to within 14-12 of St. John Bosco with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.

Northington had a 23-yard run during drive.

—Eric Sondheimer

After gaining nine yards in 12 offensive plays, St. John Bosco finally got its offense in gear at the end of the second quarter and has come away with a 7-6 halftime lead over Orange Lutheran.

Sean McGrew started picking up yards on a 72-yard scoring drive, and Cross Poyer finished up with a three-yard touchdown run with 16 seconds left in the quarter.

The combination of outstanding Orange Lutheran defense and an offense eating up time on the clock keyed the Lancers.

—Eric Sondheimer

It's taken nine weeks, but St. John Bosco is finally facing some adversity.

The unbeaten Braves have four yards in two offensive possessions and trail Orange Lutheran, 6-0, midway through the second quarter.

St. John Bosco Coach Jason Negro has always wondered how his team might respond to adversity, and this is the opportunity.

Jacob Callier came up with a 15-yard sack to deny the Lancers a third field goal in the second quarter.

—Eric Sondheimer

Orange Lutheran's option offense is controlling the clock.

At the end of the first quarter, the Lancers lead St. John Bosco, 3-0.

The Braves' offense ran off just four players. Orange Lutheran QB L.J. Northington is making the right decisions on when to pitch and when to keep the ball. Jerry Fitschen made his second field goal, this time from 38 yards, to give the Lancers a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter.

—Eric Sondheimer

Orange Lutheran's option offense was working on the opening drive. The Lancers got a 32-yard field goal from Jerry Fitschen to take a 3-0 lead over St. John Bosco.

Most importantly, the Lancers controlled the clock and ran off nearly six minutes. Two holding penalties disrupted the drive.

St. John Bosco's offense finally gets its shot.

—Eric Sondheimer

To say that Orange Lutheran has been tested this season would be an understatement.

With its game against St. John Bosco on Thursday night, the Lancers will have played the top four teams in the state _ Corona Centennial, De La Salle, Santa Ana Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.

The Lancers lost to Centennial, 35-14. They lost to De La Salle, 41-3. They lost to Mater Dei, 49-35.

It shows the Lancers are afraid of nobody and can compete against the best.

—Eric Sondheimer

St. John Bosco has played eight consecutive games in which a running clock was used in the fourth quarter because the Braves led by 35 or more points. Is that a concern if the Braves have to play four quarters at some point this season?

Offensive coordinator Chad Johnson said "no" because of the way St. John Bosco conducts its practices.

"The first thing you think of is 'are you in shape?' We're playing almost five quarters in practice," he said. "Our pace in practice is even faster than in games."

Johnson said he was a little nervous before taking on Orange Lutheran on Thursday night because he has great respect for the way the Lancers can move the ball on the ground and control the clock.

—Eric Sondheimer

After eight games with running clocks each time in the fourth quarter, St. John Bosco players are still rolling up impressive statistics.

Quarterback Quentin Davis is completing 69% of his passes and has thrown for 2,129 yards and 23 touchdowns with just one interception in 172 attempts. Running back Sean McGrew has gained 990 yards and is averaging 10.0 yards a carry.

On defense, junior Jacob Callier has eight sacks. Senior linebacker Clive Manuao leads the team with 48 tackles.

—Eric Sondheimer

Unbeaten St. John Bosco (8-0, 3-0) takes on Orange Lutheran (5-3, 2-1) in a Trinity League football game tonight. Some think the Lancers will be the first opponent all seasont to prevent St. John Bosco from playing with a running clock in the fourth quarter.

St. John Bosco has won 19 consecutive Trinity League games and can clinch at least a share of its fourth consecutive league title. There figures to be a lot of offense, and I’ll be giving you highlights, observations and insights, so check back throughout. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.