Speedy St. John Bosco quarterback Re-Al Mitchell upholds a winning tradition

Re-Al Mitchell was a 13-year-old eighth-grader, sitting on a couch at home watching on television, when Bellflower St. John Bosco defeated Concord De La Salle, 20-14, in the thrilling 2013 CIF state championship Open Division bowl game.

He saw such players as Josh Rosen, Shay Fields and Jaleel Wadood help the Braves finish 16-0 and be recognized as the No. 1 high school team in America.

“All those soon-to-be NFL players were on the team,” he said. “It’s insane to think about it in retrospect.”

Now, Mitchell is St. John Bosco’s starting quarterback for Saturday’s Open Division championship game against De La Salle at Sacramento State.

“I’m honored to play in the same game they played in,” he said.

In an era where parents are holding back their sons hoping to gain a competitive sports advantage with better size and more maturity, Mitchell is old school — a junior quarterback who is two years younger than some of the students in his grade.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to coach a guy like that and show parents you don’t need to hold your kids back a year or two just to get them a competitive advantage,” Coach Jason Negro said.

Mitchell, 6 feet 1, 180 pounds, is considered the fastest quarterback in California. He has rushed for 1,017 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has passed for 2,740 yards and 28 touchdowns.

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Junior quarterbacks sparks St. John Bosco

A win two weeks ago in the Southern Section Division I championship game against Santa Ana Mater Dei, combined with scholarship offers from Northwestern, Arizona and Utah, have helped quiet some people who think he should be playing running back instead of quarterback.

“I’ve heard the skepticism about my position,” he said, “but I’m fortunate to be blessed with speed. I feel working on my quarterback skills with my speed is a unique aspect to my game.”

Anyone who saw his 98-yard touchdown run in St. John Bosco’s season opener on Aug. 27 against Cincinnati St. Xavier on national television immediately realized how fast he truly is.

In the blink of an eye, he can streak toward the end zone, and it’s doubtful someone is going to catch him from behind.

“When you start completing passes, the running lanes are going to be there because the defenders are backing up,” he said. “That’s when the speed is most lethal.”

If Mitchell has a flare for the dramatic, it runs in his family. His mother, Sha-Ri, was known as “Blaze” on the television series “American Gladiators.” She ran track at Nebraska. His father, Rodney, was a Marine and known as “Knightmare — the Duke of Doom” on the TV series “Knights and Warriors.”

“As I got older and started watching old DVDs, I felt it was pretty cool. My parents were actors and bodybuilders,” Mitchell said. “I think I got both their genetics.”

St. John Bosco has had just one turnover in its last two games, against Corona Centennial and Mater Dei. That’s Mitchell’s job — to follow his coach’s instructions and game plan, limit mistakes and lead the Braves to victory.

“The best part about him that nobody knows is we have a game plan,” Negro said. “We’re going to execute it to the best of our team’s ability to win a game, and he’s done a great job with that. If we need him to throw, he’s going to be able to throw.”

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

Twitter: latsondheimer