St. John Bosco senior wide receiver Madden Williams dives into the end zone for a touchdown late in the game against Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran senior running back Sean Morris Jr. (3) picks up yards against St. John Bosco in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco running back Ashton Keyes plows forward for a gain against Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran’s Troy Taavao celebrates with his teammates after the Lancers upset St. John Bosco in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran head coach Rod Sherman huddles with his players late in the game against St. John Bosco in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco quarterback Koa Malau’ulu runs the ball against Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco senior wide receiver Madden Williams (7) celebrates after his fourth quarter touchdown against Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco sophomore running back Corey Hinton finds an opening and scores in the first quarter against Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran captains head to midfield for the coin toss on a rainy night in Bellflower prior to taking on St. John Bosco in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran junior quarterback Reagan Toki is overcome with emotion after the Lancers upset St. John Bosco in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran junior quarterback Reagan Toki is congratulated by St. John Bosco players after the Lancers upset the Braves in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs at St. John Bosco High School on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco sophomore Marques Torres wards off a pair of Orange Lutheran defenders on a running play in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
St. John Bosco players walk onto the field for the coin toss on a rainy night in Bellflower prior to taking on Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Orange Lutheran head coach Rod Sherman on the sidelines during his team’s upset over St. John Bosco in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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St. John Bosco senior wide receiver Madden Williams dives into the end zone for a touchdown late in the game against Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 football playoffs in Bellflower on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
BELLFLOWER — The St. John Bosco football team knew it had to turn the page after losing to Mater Dei and to lock in for the most important phase of the season, the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.
However, because of inclement weather, they had to adjust the team’s pass-heavy offense and rely on its running game in the pouring rain that soaked Southern California on Friday night.
Bosco successfully ran for 221 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries but Braves senior kicker CJ Wallace, who is committed to Washington, missed two extra points, including one with 1:51 left in the game, in a 20-19 loss to Orange Lutheran in the Division 1 quarterfinals.
“Super disappointing,” St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro said. “We didn’t meet the standard that we have for this program. First time in my career that we’ve ever lost two straight at the end of the season here at Bosco. It’s disappointing but that’s sports.”
Sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu led the Braves with two total touchdowns (one rushing, one passing) but only completed 10 of 22 passes for 73 yards, one touchdown and one interception that turned into a pick six.
“The pass game it was there for us but because of the elements we just couldn’t deliver,” Negro continued.
Bosco dropped to 9-2 overall and ended the season on a two-game losing streak. Junior running back Maliq Allen had a team-high 95 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Orange Lutheran improved to 3-8 overall and will host Santa Margarita at Orange Coast College in the Division 1 semifinals on Friday, Nov. 21.
“The goal of the regular season is to help grow up you so that you can play your best football in the playoffs,” Orange Lutheran coach Rod Sherman said. “I told our guys (Friday), the goal is to get to the playoffs and yes were the the eight seed and they were the one seed but we got the playoffs, we got a 0-0 record as we get to the playoffs and I thought we played our best football.”
Malau’ulu’s 9-yard touchdown run put the Braves up 13-7 with 5:28 left in the third quarter. The PAT was no good.
Orange Lutheran scored the next 13 points. A 67-yard touchdown pass from Lancers junior quarterback Raegan Toki to junior receiver Nico Bland gave them a 14-13 lead with 10:44 left in the fourth quarter. The PAT was good. Toki completed 7 of 11 passes for 105 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 19 yards on 10 carries.
Malau’ulu’s threw an interception that was hauled in and returned for a 45-yard touchdown by sophomore cornerback King Rich Johnson to put Orange Lutheran up 20-13 with 8:54 left in the fourth. The PAT was blocked.
“We made the one bad throw that resulted in the pick six and I think that was the difference in the ball game,” Negro continued.
With less than two minutes remaining, Bosco blocked Orange Lutheran’s punt. The ball was recovered by junior defensive back Dillon Davis at the Lancers 13.
Malau’ulu threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Madden Williams (Texas A&M commit), which made it 20-19 with 1:51 to go. However, Bosco’s PAT went wide right and was no good.
Orange Lutheran recovered Bosco’s well-placed onside kick, which bounced off several players on both teams, before the Lancers recovered.
Toki kneeled out the game, and secured the 20-19 victory, which was redemption for a 48-0 loss to Bosco on Oct. 10 in Trinity League play.
Orange Lutheran recovered St. John Bosco’s onside kick. pic.twitter.com/37Ly08NQzq
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 15, 2025
“You have to play physical no matter what the elements are,” Sherman said before the game. “You have to take care of the football. You have to win the turnover battle, whether the elements are good (or) bad.”
Bosco’s defense forced two turnovers in the first half, a fumble recovery by junior linebacker Josiah Poyer and an interception by senior defensive end Dutch Horisk (Oregon commit) stopped Orange Lutheran’s offense early.
The Braves capitalized on the second turnover with a short drive that began at the Lancers 24 and ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Corey Hinton with 51 seconds left in the first quarter. Bosco led 7-0.
Orange Lutheran’s defense responded and stopped Bosco’s offense at just outside the red zone midway through the second quarter. Wallace missed a 41-yard field goal.
The Lancers used that momentum to go on an 80-yard scoring drive, with several key runs by senior running back Sean Morris Jr. (Northwestern commit) who had a team-high 130 yards rushing on 21 carries.
However, it was Toki’s 17-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Chris Flores Jr. that put the Lancers on scoreboard and tied the game at 7 all with 37 seconds to go before halftime.
Final: Orange Lutheran 20, St. John Bosco 19.
The Lancers will host a CIF-SS Division 1 semifinal game. pic.twitter.com/NoOiv9bQHJ
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 15, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: Orange Lutheran football coach Rod Sherman talks about his team’s effort and fight in a 20-19 win over No. 1 seed St. John Bosco.
The Lancers scored 13 straight points in the second half, including what ended up being a game-winning pick six. pic.twitter.com/4lcnMS3ABq
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 15, 2025
PREGAME: St. John Bosco football head coach Jason Negro talks about his team’s preparation for a Division 1 quarterfinal game against Orange Lutheran.
Coach Negro said he believes his offense is ready to play in the rain. pic.twitter.com/76wyNF284r
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) November 15, 2025