Mira Costa, St. John Bosco Tie
Mira Costa, St. John Bosco Tie
Mira Costa was a little happier after an earlier win.
The Mira Costa Mustangs clashed with St. John Bosco in the Los Angeles Conference of the SoCal Varsity White division with 2nd place at stake.
The Mustangs went into the match with a game plan of controlling the ball in an effort to keep the ball away from the much bigger and more physical Braves back line. And for the most part they did this. Using their forwards to truck the ball upfield, the Mustangs scored when captain Juwan Johnson broke the Bosco defensive line. Flyhalf Isaiah Leilua converted giving the Mustangs a 7-0 lead.
Second verse same as the first for Mira Costa, as they again used their forwards to move upfield. They turned the ball over, however, and there followed a series of balls lost and won until Mira Costa's freshman No. 8, Jonah Tavai, blew through the Braves defense make it 12-0. St. John Bosco finally was able to get the ball out to their backline, and toasted Mira Costa for their first try.
But the Mustangs answered right back as inside center Tre Searcy picked up a loose ball and took it 12 meters for a try. Leilua’s conversion put the Mustangs up 19-5.
Mira Costa came close as Tavai and Johnson tested the Bosco defense, and lock Hunter Cole kept winning lineouts. Searcy appeared to score, but the try was not awarded, and the half ended 19-5.The second half opened up with the Mustangs again maintaining possession. Once again after the ball changed hands in the Bosco zone before Mira Costa found the tryline as Juwan Johnson added to his school scoring record. Leilua provided the conversion to make it 26-5.
But Bosco suddenly found their rhythm. They dominated the final 20 minutes and scored three tries to tie the game.
The final Braves score came just before the final whistle to end the match in a 26-26 tie. The tie leaves Mira Costa in sole possession of 2nd place at 2-1-1 and St. John Bosco at 1-1-1.
But the Mustangs answered right back as inside center Tre Searcy picked up a loose ball and took it 12 meters for a try. Leilua’s conversion put the Mustangs up 19-5.
Mira Costa came close as Tavai and Johnson tested the Bosco defense, and lock Hunter Cole kept winning lineouts. Searcy appeared to score, but the try was not awarded, and the half ended 19-5.The second half opened up with the Mustangs again maintaining possession. Once again after the ball changed hands in the Bosco zone before Mira Costa found the tryline as Juwan Johnson added to his school scoring record. Leilua provided the conversion to make it 26-5.
But Bosco suddenly found their rhythm. They dominated the final 20 minutes and scored three tries to tie the game.
The final Braves score came just before the final whistle to end the match in a 26-26 tie. The tie leaves Mira Costa in sole possession of 2nd place at 2-1-1 and St. John Bosco at 1-1-1.
Next week Mira Costa hosts Palos Verdes HS in the 2nd Annual South Bay Scrum-Down and the battle for the oar.
Bosco gets to face league-leaders Dana Hills.
Bosco gets to face league-leaders Dana Hills.
