State championship rematch in season opener

High school football fans in California have been frustrated watching other states play football while their stadiums sit empty and the pads sit in dark equipment rooms.

Two of the top programs in the state and country gave high school football fans something to look forward to. De La Salle and St. John Bosco will play each other in the season opener on January 8 in a rematch of last season’s CIF State Open Division championship game. The game will be played at the 7.2 million dollar Panish Family Stadium at St. John Bosco.

St. John Bosco won the state championship game last year 49-28 when now Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw for 398 yards and four touchdowns. He aso ran for 64 yards and a touchdown in the win. Bosco has won the last three meetings between the two schools.

Both teams had week one in their schedules open up when it was announced in July that football season will be pushed back until January. Each team had games scheduled against out of state opponents and had an opening on the schedule.

ANNOUNCING: Game 1 in Jan, 2021! To be the best you have to play the best! #DestinationBosco📍 pic.twitter.com/rDJrUtwCKA

— Bosco Football (@boscofootball) October 7, 2020

De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh likes to give the team high profile opponents in its nonleague schedule and the options were limited when the season got pushed back to January. Fortunately, the defending national champions happen to be in California and had the week open.

“Our kids are still out there working. They’re working hard. We felt like we owed them a great opportunity,” Alumbaugh told Darren Sabedra of Bay Area News Group. “We have a great relationship with coach (Jason) Negro. He and I were just talking. Why not? It sounds awesome, to start the season off with a bang.”

Final:

St. John Bosco 49 – De La Salle 28

**St. John Bosco wins the CIF Open state championship.** pic.twitter.com/yHVmf11S6X

— Jesús Cano (@Juice_Cano) December 15, 2019

In his team’s original schedule, Alumbaugh had scheduled Texas powerhouse North Shore in Houston. The game was supposed to be played in August and was going to broadcast on ESPN.

“Playing DLS to open the season in January is a complete honor and privilege for our program here at Bosco,” St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro told Sebedra. “We take great pride in competing against the best programs in the country and the Spartans are just that. I’m excited for this opportunity and I know our kids are as well and welcome the challenge.”

Rayshon Luke Rayshon Luke 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA is the only player on the St. John Bosco current roster who scored a touchdown in the state championship game last season. Beaux Collins Beaux Collins 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR St. John Bosco | 2021 State CA scored for the Braves as well, but he is intending on skipping his senior season to enroll early at Clemson.

Sacramento State commit Dorian Hale returns at quarterback for De La Salle. He completed 17 of 30 passes for 212 yards in the state championship game.

Shamar Garrett was the top offensive weapon fo De La Salle last season. He rushed for 114 yards on just 13 carries in the championship game last season and is now at San Jose State.

This season’s game will feature several top prosepects. For Bosco: Jode McDuffie Jode McDuffie 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR St. John Bosco | 2021 State CA , Kamren Blanton Kamren Blanton 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2021 State CA , Andrew Simpson Andrew Simpson 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB St. John Bosco | 2021 State CA , Earnest Greene Earnest Greene 6'5" | 330 lbs | OL St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , Nathan Burrell Nathan Burrell 6'3" | 285 lbs | DL St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , Tayvion Beasley Tayvion Beasley 5'10" | 165 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , Sione Hala Sione Hala 6'2" | 200 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , Jalen Woods Jalen Woods 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , Jabari Bates Jabari Bates 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , Katin Houser Katin Houser 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , Jairus Satele Jairus Satele 6'1" | 300 lbs | DL St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , Jaxon Harley Jaxon Harley 5'10" | 150 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , Michael Hayes Michael Hayes 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA and Matayo Uiagalelei Matayo Uiagalelei 6'5" | 265 lbs | DL St. John Bosco | 2023 State CA among others.

For De La Salle: Kairo Reid Kairo Reid 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB De La Salle | 2021 State CA , Brodie Tagaloa Brodie Tagaloa 6'4" | 260 lbs | TE De La Salle | 2022 State CA , Zeke Berry Zeke Berry 6'0" | 190 lbs | DB De La Salle | 2022 State CA , JJ Tofaeono JJ Tofaeono 6'0" | 255 lbs | DL De La Salle | 2022 State CA , Charles Greer Charles Greer 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH De La Salle | 2023 State CA and Dylan Greeson Dylan Greeson 6'0" | 100 lbs | LB De La Salle | 2023 State CA among others.

St. John Bosco will play a nine game schedule. Its nonleague opponents are De La Salle of Concord, Alemany of Mission Hills, Bishop Amat of La Puente and Monterey Trail of Oak Grove.

The Braves will finish the regular season against Trinity League rival Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium on March 12.