Two of Southern California’s top high school football teams, Mission Viejo and St. John Bosco, scored impressive victories on Saturday night.
Mission Viejo (2-0) intercepted four passes, returning two for touchdowns, and got three sacks from Jaden Williams in a 35-7 home win over Santa Margarita.
St. John Bosco traveled to Florida for a nationally televised game against Madonna Chaminade and rallied to pull off a 34-27 victory behind two sophomores. Maliq Blackwell-Allen broke away for a 71-yard touchdown run to break a 27-27 tie in the fourth quarter. Safety Isaia Wily-Ava contributed a sack and an interception in the fourth quarter and was covering a final pass play with nine seconds remaining. Junior quarterback Matai Fuiava threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns.
Mission Viejo took a 14-0 halftime lead after Brock deFries returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter. Jeron Jones added another interception for a touchdown, this time from 73 yards. Quarterback Luke Fahey threw for 156 yards, including touchdowns of 15 and three yards to Phillip Bell and two yards to Brady Bowman.
The Devils’ goal was to not let reigning Trinity League player of the year Trent Mosley get loose to catch passes in the secondary. He had four receptions for 55 yards early, but quarterback John Gazzaniga struggled to get him the ball the rest of the first half.
Williams remains a wrecking ball at defensive end. He had 18½ sacks last season and the San Diego State commit already has six in two games.
“I’m studying film,” Williams said.
He is also on a mission.
“I have to top last year,” he said.
With Williams’ pressure, the Devils’ secondary benefited. Jones had two interceptions and DJ Lee another.
Mission Viejo will have a bye week before hosting Henderson (Nev.) Liberty on Sept. 6. Santa Margarita (0-1) will have to figure out how to get Mosley more involved in the offense when it faces Corona Centennial next week. He started getting some opportunities at running back in the second half. He finished with nine receptions for 115 yards.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.