Blanton Has a Field Day in Victory

Billy Blanton threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns to help Mater Dei High School defeat St. John Bosco, 35-7, in the league opener for both schools Friday at Santa Ana Stadium.

Blanton played the entire game, completing 14 of 20 passes with one interception. In seven games this season, he has thrown 98 passes for 1,866 yards and 20 touchdowns.

“I didn’t feel St. John Bosco did anything to put pressure on him (Blanton),” said Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson when asked why he left Blanton in the game. “I saw no risk to him in anything it did.”

Mater Dei (7-0, 1-0), the county’s No. 1 team, scored first on Chris Ruperto’s 23-yard sweep around right tackle with 7 minutes 46 seconds left in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, St. John Bosco (1-5, 0-1) lost a fumble at the Mater Dei four-yard line. On the ensuing play, Blanton fumbled the handoff and Rudy Figueroa recovered for the Braves at the Monarch seven.

Three plays later, Derek Ayers scored from the three to tie the score with 7:00 left in the second quarter.

Seven plays later, Ruperto scored again on 14-yard run with 4:03 to play in the second quarter. Brian Broadbent’s kick gave Mater Dei the lead, 14-7.

Ruperto gained 76 of Mater Dei’s 193 yards rushing in seven carries. Jimmy Nolan also had 75 yards in nine carries.

For St. John Bosco, Ayers gained 148 of its 150 rushing yards in 23 carries. Quarterback Jason Hamilton completed seven of 15 attempts for 61 yards. He was intercepted once by Mater Dei’s Brian Barajas.