Football: Andrew Katnik comes to rescue in St. John Bosco victory

Things were looking pretty bleak for No. 1-ranked St. John Bosco in the second quarter Saturday at Mission Viejo. The Braves trailed Chandler (Ariz.), 28-10. Standout junior quarterback Josh Rosen was on the bench with his arm in a sling from a shoulder injury.

But backup Andrew Katnik stepped in to complete 10 of 11 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns to rally the Braves (3-0) to a 52-31 victory. He led four consecutive successful scoring drives, starting late in the second quarter when he completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Jaleel Wadood.

St. John Bosco’s defense, led by Wadood and Chandler Hawkins, became more aggressive and started to put pressure on Chandler quarterback Bryce Perkins, who passed for 267 yards and one touchdown and ran for 118 yards and one touchdown.

“When I first got out there, I was a little nervous, but after that first series, I calmed down, made the throws, made the reads,” said Katnik, a senior.

Rosen, injured after a roughing-the-passer penalty, plans to get an X-ray to determine the seriousness of his shoulder injury.

Sophomore Sean McGrew rushed for 128 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Manasseh Anesi gained 64 yards and scored three touchdowns.

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