GOW: No. 3 SJB, 3 vs. No. 5 STA, 9 F OT

[ECHS05]

1 hour ago, 15yds4gibberish said:

Yes ECH, I thought a few of us have been around long enough that we didn't have to go through the entire litany of cliche's about what's important when comparing HS football teams.  From you in particular, this criticism sounds like an obtuse reference to Calpreps.  But fair enough.  Here is some more reason why, without knowing very much of SJB and STA this year, I'm skeptical about the point spread.  

My memory has faded a bit, but as I recall, all three teams were stacked with talent everywhere last year, and I don't remember any real glaring weaknesses (except BG backers apparently need to step on the backs of their linemen to try to block kicks...).  But one of my impressions was also that line play for all three was very good and something I would consider a strength.  In particular I remember effusively praising the SJB O-line during and after the state championship, but again if memory serves the STA lines had better success against BG than the SJB lines did.  Further, I think SJB had some graduations on it's o-line (for example, I think it was number 78 who really stood out, and I think he was a senior, so he's gone).   So again, I'm trying to understand how the changes on the two teams make up a 25 point swing. 

But since my reasoning is faulty along with my memory, why don't you tell us ECH, what are the important match-ups that account for 25 points over last year?  What should we be watching here?

Tell you what...

Im guessing youre going with STA...

Ill make you a wager. Ill take SJB straight up, you take STA straight up... you name the stakes!

The difference is going to be the QBs. STA lost Jake Allen and their new QB didnt really do anything to wow anyone. SJBs Re'al Mitchell returns after a season where he progressed well as a passer, nevermind that hes one of the faster players in CA.

IMO, SJB will be better than last year. They will beat STA by 6-10 points.

[954gator]

5 minutes ago, ECHS05 said:

Tell you what...

Im guessing youre going with STA...

Ill make you a wager. Ill take SJB straight up, you take STA straight up... you name the stakes!

Damn that confident huh?  I'll bet you a ham sammich! (not boar's head though)

[golfaddict1]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/fl-reg-tropics-weather-wednesday-20170823-story.html

 

[old_e]

I, as everyone else is a little skeptical about the 10.5 line. SJB is the one traveling cross country. Who in their right mind would spot STA 10.5 points at home? Coo coo. 

With that said, the East and the South bout to get the 411 that L.A. ain't all surfing, son! 

[PrepGridiron]

Nearly an exact split on almost 50 votes. This game has earned GOW status. 

[Sammyswordsman]

3 hours ago, 15yds4gibberish said:

steeler and others,

Looking forward to this one...but I don't understand how SJB can even be favored, much less by so many.   I understand that 2016 isn't 2017, but last year we watched BG travel to SJB and win handily by 15, and then we watched STA travel to BG and lose a game by all rights they coulda shoulda in 34 overtimes...

I like Real (love his mom), but I'm not sure how he closes a two touchdown gap plus 10 more in points this year.  What are the other changes that support this much of a swing?  

Also, game beer discussion should not be banished to the hinterlands of the OT thread...Have not yet selected the craft that will christen the season, but will appreciate hearing about others' choices... 

You also have to keep in mind that The Bishop had no weakness 

[PrepGridiron]

4 minutes ago, Sammyswordsman said:

You also have to keep in mind that The Bishop had no weakness 

operative word...had

[Ararar]

One of the main reasons that the SJB line became so dominant at the end of the season was the moving of Wyatt Davis (Ohio State) from tackle to guard.Once they did that the ground game was punishing 

[ECHS05]

58 minutes ago, old_e said:

I, as everyone else is a little skeptical about the 10.5 line. SJB is the one traveling cross country. Who in their right mind would spot STA 10.5 points at home? Coo coo. 

With that said, the East and the South bout to get the 411 that L.A. ain't all surfing, son! 

10.5 is a little much yeah.

I could see a 28-24 or 28-21 SJB win...

 

[BB bos]

 

Top-Ranked St. John Bosco Preparing For Florida Showdown With No. 14 St. Thomas Aquinas

TOPICS:Re-Al MitchellSt. John Bosco High SchoolSt. Thomas Aquinas High SchoolTop 100

POSTED BY: JEFF FISHER AUGUST 23, 2017

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St. John Bosco quarterback Re-al Mitchell knows a thing-or-two about hitting the road for a big game.  In last year’s season opener, the Iowa State-recruit got the Braves off-and-flying with a 98-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage against eventually Ohio Division I state champ St. Xavier.  That set the tone for Bosco, which never looked back in a 34-0 victory on national television in Cincinnati.

Friday night, Mitchell and the defending California Open Division champs will square-off with Florida-power St. Thomas Aquinas, which will be looking for its fourth straight state championship in 2017.  The game will air LIVE at 7 P.M. Eastern Time on ESPNU.

Related: High School Football America Top 100

St. John Bosco has been in Florida since Tuesday morning.  The Braves held a full practice Monday in Bellflower, California and then hopped-on a red-eye flight Monday night and hit the practice field in Florida early on Tuesday.

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I spoke with Mitchell on Sunday, who was excited about the team’s first of two trips across the country this year.  On September 23, the Braves will head to Washington, D.C. for a match-up with St. John’s College High School.

“We’re very fortunate to have an opportunity like this to play a great team,” said Mitchell, who competed at the Elite 11 finals in Los Angeles earlier this year.

Mitchell is coming-off a strong 2016 that saw him get better-and-better as the season wore on.  He finished with 2,932 yards passing and 1,058 rushing.  He completed over 67-percent of his throws with 30 TDs and only ten interceptions. He also rushed for 15 scores.

Since 2014, Bosco has taken long road trips to Hawaii (St. Louis), New Jersey (St. Peter’s Prep) and Ohio (St. Xavier), coming away a perfect 3-0.  The Braves have also travelled to Portland, Oregon and Las Vegas to play Bishop Gorman.  The only out-of-state road trip loss was to Gorman in 2014.

“A lot of these kids have had an opportunity to do it in the past,” said Jason Negro, St. John Bosco head coach. “We’re accustomed to it (long trips) over the last four or five years. The kids really enjoy the opportunity to go across states to play really talented programs and really talented players.”

Despite the loss of Wyatt Davis to graduation and Ohio, Bosco will be strong up-front with the return of three full-time starters from last year’s 13-2 squad.

“Kevin Coblentz (Nevada-recruit) is back at tackle,” said Mitchell. “He’ll give a lot of leadership to the group and we have a lot of depth up-front.”

In the backfield, Mitchell will get help from Arizona State-bound Demetrious Flowers, who ran for 954 yards and 20 touchdowns last year while splitting time at the position.

St. Thomas Aquinas enters the game having played a kickoff classic last Thursday, which is a game that does not count in the Raiders’ 2017 schedule. STA beat Dillard 39-0.

Offensively, the Raiders need to find a replacement for quarterback Jake Allen, who is now at Florida.  Last week, junior Curt Casteel was 9-for-16 for 179 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, Aquinas, like Bosco, has an outstanding secondary led by 4-star prospect seniors Al Blades, Jr. and Asante Samuel, Jr.  Blades, who will follow in his father (Al) and uncle’s (Brian) footsteps and play at the University of Miami (Florida), is considered the No. 89 overall prospect in the nation, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He’s considered the and the No. 11 cornerback prospect in the nation.

Samuel, Jr. is the son of NFL Pro Bowler Asante Samuel, who won Super Bowls in his first two years with the New England Patriots and also picked-off 51 passes in his career.  The younger Samuel, who has given his verbal to Florida State, is ranked as the No. 98 overall college football prospect in the nation and No. 13 cornerback.

“We had a chance to look at film from Aquinas’ game against Dillard last week,” said Mitchell. “They look real talented, as expected.  It all comes down to execution on our plays.”

Mitchell added “It’s iron sharpens iron in practice. It’s 1’s against 1’s, so it’s really competitive with everyone flying around trying to get better.  We have a really, really good defense and they prepare us for playing against really good defenses.”

The Brave defense that Mitchell was talking about is led by Ohio State-bound Jaiden Woodbey. The senior safety had 70 tackles last year with four interceptions.  Senior safety Stephan Blaylock has committed to UCLA, as has junior defensive back Chris Steele.

You’ll be able to hear from from Re-al Mitchell on Thursday night’s High School Football America Radio Show.

 

[coach_warren]

Exception of Don Bosco, people like to shit on STA even the Cali guys. But when STA knocks on your door and your states best has to play them you take a gulp and realize STA, no matter how badly coached is a deadly matchup for any team. They're just so damn talented, have size, and fast. Thinking SJB is gonna handle STA is just...don't see it happening at all.

[BB bos]

Coach speak

St. John Bosco's head coach joins the CB & Poff show

[Cossacks]

On 8/22/2017 at 4:26 PM, TheMaximumHornetSting said:

We're 3 hours ahead remember.... 

When did that start?

[CCBlackhatter]

The deciding factor for me, which may very likely turn out be a mistake in the pick em, is Florida teams as a whole play a more physical brand of football than California (DLS excluded most years which is why they have so much success in state). I think STA is going to wear them down and take the victory in a close one assuming they make their field goals and the coaches do not screw up in their decision making like they are known to do.

With all of that being said, I'm ok with SJB winning so Los will stay away for another 3 months or so. Lol

[FootballGuy]

6 minutes ago, CCBlackhatter said:

The deciding factor for me, which may very likely turn out be a mistake in the pick em, is Florida teams as a whole play a more physical brand of football than California (DLS excluded most years which is why they have so much success in state). I think STA is going to wear them down and take the victory in a close one assuming they make their field goals and the coaches do not screw up in their decision making like they are known to do.

With all of that being said, I'm ok with SJB winning so Los will stay away for another 3 months or so. Lol

You hit the nail on the head right here.

[PrepGridiron]

19 minutes ago, CCBlackhatter said:

Florida teams as a whole play a more physical brand of football than California

I generally agree. SJB, however, is very physical. They've proven it by having success against East coast schools and DLS. 

[eddiev]

http://usatodayhss.com/2017/score-predictor-who-wins-when-no-3-st-john-bosco-calif-visits-no-5-st-thomas-aquinas-fla

[golfaddict1]

3 minutes ago, PrepGridiron said:

I generally agree. SJB, however, is very physical. They've proven it by having success against East coast schools and DLS. 

34-0 vs an Ohio power last year opening game.  

[PrepGridiron]

9 minutes ago, eddiev said:

http://usatodayhss.com/2017/score-predictor-who-wins-when-no-3-st-john-bosco-calif-visits-no-5-st-thomas-aquinas-fla

Welcome to the board. Careful, it causes addiction.

[golfaddict1]

5 minutes ago, eddiev said:

http://usatodayhss.com/2017/score-predictor-who-wins-when-no-3-st-john-bosco-calif-visits-no-5-st-thomas-aquinas-fla

Doubtful any algorithm source will have STA as a favorite at home.  

[maxchoboian]

15 hours ago, PrepGridiron said:

Nearly an exact split on almost 50 votes. This game has earned GOW status. 

Two teams in recruiting hotbeds that get otherworldly numbers of talented players. East vs. West. Game on, beaches!

[eddiev]

17 minutes ago, PrepGridiron said:

Welcome to the board. Careful, it causes addiction.

Thank You

[CCBlackhatter]

32 minutes ago, PrepGridiron said:

I generally agree. SJB, however, is very physical. They've proven it by having success against East coast schools and DLS. 

SPP in a year they weren't very strong? I'll give you the DLS game in '13, but not '16. Last years DLS was not nearly as talented or physical as what SJB is about to encounter. I can't remember the name of the team SJB scrimmaged recently (red and white team), but those boys were getting taken down easily against a much much inferior team.

The STA coaching will have to lose this one STA, which is very likely as stated earlier.

[PrepGridiron]

3 minutes ago, CCBlackhatter said:

SPP in a year they weren't very strong? I'll give you the DLS game in '13, but not '16. Last years DLS was not nearly as talented or physical as what SJB is about to encounter. I can't remember the name of the team SJB scrimmaged recently (red and white team), but those boys were getting taken down easily against a much much inferior team.

The STA coaching will have to lose this one STA, which is very likely as stated earlier.

Line play in the first 5 minutes will give us an idea of how its going to play out.

[CCBlackhatter]

Just now, PrepGridiron said:

Line play in the first 5 minutes will give us an idea of how its going to play out.

Agreed. I think SJB will need to go up a couple scores early. I just don't see them winning the 2nd half.