Hold up, college football fans. Forget Saturday for a minute, because tonight’s high school showdown between state-ranked Pittsburg and St. John Bosco is absolutely appointment viewing. Sports Illustrated has Bosco at No. 2 nationally and Pittsburg at No. 9, and the Braves are rolling into town having already dropped their season opener 38-28 to Bishop Gorman-Las Vegas. This is a heavyweight bout with some early season drama already brewing!
The Rematch: Orange Carpet Treatment vs. Old School Grudge Match?
Pittsburg’s coach Charlie Ramirez, a ’94 alum who played on their last team to beat De La Salle, is all class, calling St. John Bosco “first-rate” and “classy” based on their 2024 road trip. He’s promising the Braves a full “orange carpet” welcome for their journey up here. But don’t let the pleasantries fool you. Last time these two met in 2024, Bosco handed Pittsburg a tough 35-14 loss. You know that memory is still fresh, even if Ramirez is focused on good sportsmanship. Bosco might have won that one, but Pittsburg isn’t about to roll over at home, especially not after their own impressive 40-7 victory over Monterey Trail to open their season.
College Talent Everywhere You Look
Listen, both these squads are absolutely stacked with future college stars, but Ramirez even admitted Bosco’s got more, and deeper, talent. Their offense is electric with junior QB Koa Malau’ulu, senior RB Maliq Allen (who just torched Roman Catholic-Philadelphia for 139 yards and three TDs in a 45-25 win), and junior wideout DJ Tubbs. But it’s their defense that’s got college scouts drooling! They’ve got safeties Isaia Aisa Wiley-Ava (a Washington commit!) and Dillon Davis (Vanderbilt), along with linebacker twins Ethan and Justin Coach (both headed to Washington!), Josiah Poyer (USC), and linemen Kekoa Peko (Boise State) and Richard Orosco (Washington State). That’s a serious lineup!
But Pittsburg is bringing their own heat, too. Speedy junior wideout-cornerback Kenny Ward, ranked No. 4 in the Bay Area, is a legit threat; he had a 76-yard touchdown catch as a freshman against Bosco! You know he wants more tonight. Junior QB JaVale Jones leads the offense, and on defense, they’ve got edge rusher Terrance Murphy (Fresno State), safety Jeremiah Edwards, and versatile running back/linebackers Isaiah Harrison, Isaiah Davis, and Mekhi Anderson. Pittsburg’s two-way lineman and fourth-year starter Ha’angana Tau summed it up perfectly: “We’re good high school players just like them. … It means everything to me, putting on this uniform. Playing for my team, my town, this program. It’s a great organization.” That’s the passion we love to see!
The Pirates are 1-0 and fired up. Bosco might be 1-1 after losing to Bishop Gorman, but they were national preseason No. 1 for a reason. Kenny Ward said it best: “We just gotta come out and play Pittsburg football and we’ll be all right.” This isn’t just another game; this is a statement opportunity for Pittsburg. They made it to the D1-AA state title game in 2024, falling 28-26. Tonight, they’re not just hosting a powerhouse; they’re trying to prove they belong right at the top. Get ready for some fireworks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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