For football fans in Bellflower, California, January 1 wasn’t just about ringing in a new year—it was a nationwide showcase of St. John Bosco brilliance. As the CFP Bowls lit up screens across the country, eight Braves turned the spotlight into their stage representing their HC Jason Negro. Their impact wasn’t just felt; it was stamped in bold, game-altering moments that had fans and scouts alike marveling. Forget roses, peaches, and sugar—this was the Bosco Football Bowl trilogy.

The high school powerhouse didn’t hold back in celebrating their alums, dropping an Instagram post that oozed pride. “Happy New Year! Wishing all our former Bosco Braves good luck in today’s College Football Playoffs. #DestinationBosco,” the post read. The clip featured eight former Braves, each repping their collegiate teams with flair. First up, the Peach Bowl showdown between Arizona State and Texas. Sean Na’a, a three-star offensive lineman from Bosco’s Class of 2023, anchored ASU’s line against none other than his former teammate, DeAndre Moore Jr. Moore, a two-way phenom for Texas, showcased his versatility as both a wide receiver and safety. It was a classic tale of iron sharpening iron, only this time on a grander stage.

Then came the Rose Bowl, a game dripping with history and heated rivalry. Ohio State and Oregon clashed in a Big Ten slugfest, but for the Bosco faithful, it was a reunion. Matayo Uiagalelei #10, a five-star edge rusher for the Ducks, who finished his Bosco Football in the year 23, brought his high school dominance to Pasadena.

Opposing him was Kourt Williams, a senior linebacker for the Buckeyes, who graduated from Bosco in 2020. As if that wasn’t enough, Alabama freshman Peyton Woodyard, another recent Bosco graduate, made his mark in the secondary for Oregon. Watching three Braves line up against each other in one of college football’s biggest spectacles felt like destiny—and a recruiting dream for Jason Negro’s program.

Sugar Bowl comes with a twist as the matchup between Georgia and Notre Dame has been postponed until Thursday in the wake of the horrific New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans. It will feature Georgia’s Earnest Greene III, a Class of 2022 offensive lineman, set to clash with two Notre Dame standouts: wide receiver Beaux Collins (Class of 2021) and freshman linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (Class of 2024). While the delay added some drama, it only heightened the anticipation of seeing more Braves alumni go head-to-head. Greene, a cornerstone for the Bulldogs’ offensive line, versus Collins, a key Fighting Irish weapon, promised to be another chapter in Bosco’s legacy of excellence.

For Bosco alumni, these weren’t just games—they were stages to cement their names in football lore. It’s a testament to a program that doesn’t just churn out athletes but molds leaders capable of thriving at the highest levels. The connection between these former teammates, even as rivals on the field, underscores the camaraderie fostered at Bosco. As the St. John Bosco wrapped, their season ranked No. 5 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) twice in the final MaxPreps Top 25 teams.

But wait, this wasn’t the first big game for some of the Bosco elites, especially for those Rose Bowl Braves.

Bosco Football and their clash of their own

For Matayo Uiagalelei, Wednesday’s Rose Bowl clash wasn’t his first time stepping onto that iconic Pasadena turf for a high-stakes showdown. But let’s be clear—Oregon’s 34-13 triumph over UCLA earlier this season doesn’t count. The real memory? A California high school epic back in November 2022, when Uiagalelei and his St. John Bosco squad edged powerhouse Mater Dei, 24-22, in a thriller for the ages.

That game was a showcase of Uiagalelei’s versatility and dominance. He terrorized quarterbacks as a defensive end, snagged touchdowns as a tight end, and iced the game with a clutch late run for a first down. Not to forget, their fresh 31-24 defeat in the Southern Section Division 1 championship where he squared off against Tomuhini Topui, the No. 1 defensive lineman in the nation, and now the #10’s teammate at Eugene. Even though this wasn’t at Pasadena.“Growing up in Southern California, the Rose Bowl is just one of those legendary places,” Uiagalelei said during Monday’s media day, his excitement evident.

Sadly, for them, this time their high school senior and Ohio State’s Kourt Williams came out on top, as Bucks rag-dolled the Ducks 41-21 to advance into the CFP semifinals. Nevertheless, Wednesday was the day when Bosco and it’s staff’s chest were filled with pride.