FINAL: St. John Bosco blows past Manatee, 31-0, in one half; game called at halftime due to weather

Kendall Webb

•
FINAL: St. John Bosco blows past Manatee, 31-0, in one half; game called at halftime due to weather image

© Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

St. John Bosco head coach Jason Negro has led the Braves to four state titles during his tenure. He has been head coach since 2010.

BRADENTON, Florida, Aug. 22 — The St. John Bosco [Bellflower, CA] Braves blew into Florida like a Category 5 making the Manatee [FL] Hurricanes look like a tropical depression in comparison.

In a game that lasted only a single half due to a series of storms that forced multiple delays, it was Bosco that rained on Manatee's opening night parade the hardest in a 31-0 gulley washer.

While it was, technically, a short night of a work on the game clock, it took roughly the same amount of time to play as a full game due to the long delays. The second delay occurred with the teams in the locker room for halftime, and with no end in sight to the storm system hovering over the Bradenton area, game officials ultimately decided to call the game.

It hardly mattered at that point. The Braves had already clearly established themselves as the superior team, and the final outcome was academic at that point. Sophomore quarterback Koa Malau'ulu put the Braves on his capable shoulders, passing for 121 yards and three touchdowns on an efficient 9-of-12 performance.

 

 

Next up for St. John Bosco is a relatively easy tune-up back in the Golden State against the Eastwood Troopers of El Paso, Texas. But then, as always, the schedule steps up in difficulty as the Braves host the mighty St. Frances Academy [Baltimore, MD] Panthers in what currently checks in as a national No. 3 vs. No. 4 matchup.

Manatee, meanwhile, will be glad to get back to a more even playing field against their hometown rivals, the Southeast [Bradenton, FL] Seminoles.

__________

Refresh for updates

__________

And we finally get word that they have called the game. St. John Bosco beats Manatee in one half of play, 31-0, in a game marred by multiple weather delays. It's been a rough night for football in the Sunshine State.

FINAL — ST. JOHN BOSCO 31, MANATEE 0

 

 

__________

It does look like they are still trying to finish this thing. But this was posted seven minutes ago with lightning still flashing in the Bradenton area.

 

 

__________

And here's the final touchdown before the half prior to our latest delay.

 

 

__________

We've got a highlight for you while we try to figure out where things stand.

 

 

|| HALFTIME ||

Before the half can end, we get news that we're in another weather delay in Bradenton.

__________

Some halftime stats for you.

St. John Bosco has 83 yards rushing and 127 yards passing for a total of 210 yards. Manatee has 25 yards rushing and 12 yards passing for 37.

It's been a dominating performance by the nation's No. 3 team.

__________

Halftime: ST. JOHN BOSCO 31, MANATEE 0

|| SECOND QUARTER ||

With 39 seconds to go in the first half, St. John Bosco continues to build its lead on Manatee. Looking like a successful trip to Florida to start the season.

2nd Qtr: ST. JOHN BOSCO 31, MANATEE 0

__________

St. John Bosco just has too much for these boys from Bradenton. The Braves from California add another touchdown with 3:17 to play before halftime.

2nd Qtr: ST. JOHN BOSCO 24, MANATEE 0

__________

It's all Bosco so far against Manatee.

2nd Qtr: ST. JOHN BOSCO 17, MANATEE 0

__________

|| FIRST QUARTER ||

End of 1st Qtr: ST. JOHN BOSCO 10, MANATEE 0

__________

St. John Bosco adds a field goal to extend their lead.

1st Qtr — ST. JOHN BOSCO 10, MANATEE 0

__________

St. John Bosco strikes first with a short touchdown pass to get on the board.

1st Qtr — ST. JOHN BOSCO 7, MANATEE 0

__________

We are under way!

__________

TOP 25 AND THE GAME OF THE WEEK ...

While you're getting ready for tonight's big game, get yourself up to speed on the preseason edition of The Sporting News High School Football Top 25.

Then check out our TSN Game of the Week Recap featuring the No. 14 Milton (GA) Eagles at the No. 12 Buford (GA) Wolves on Thursday, August 14, 2025.

__________

OUR PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAMS ...

Finally, don't miss out on The Sporting News Preseason All-American Teams that just debuted today!

__________

MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES ...

Kendall Webb

Kendall Webb is a freelance writer with The Sporting News and the former publisher of the College Football America Yearbook. He is a proud alumnus of Kilgore College (AA), the University of Texas at Austin (BJ), Middle Tennessee State University (BS), and Harvard University (ALM). Webb has attended a high school or college football game in more than 40 states during his career as a freelance journalist, and he remains an avid follower of team sports at all levels.