Top performers from Mission Viejo passing tournament

Twenty Los Angeles area high school football teams competed
at Mission Viejo High School’s annual passing tournament Saturday, July 13. St.
John Bosco defeated Corona Del Mar in the championship game.

CDM receiver John Humphreys played fantastic football all day. He caught four touchdowns in a quarterfinal win over Corona Centennial and then two more in the championship game against St. John Bosco.

“He’s having a great day,” Corona Del Mar offensive coordinator Kevin Hettig said after the quarterfinal win. Sea King quarterback Ethan Garbers routinely threw fades to the right sideline Saturday and Humphreys made play after play. The Stanford commit’s best moment came when he snagged a one-handed touchdown reception in the title game.

St. John Bosco’s DJ Uiagalelei was the top quarterback in the competition. In the semifinals against Mater Dei, Uiagalelei led the Braves on five consecutive scoring drives. He hit Logan Loya, Jode McDuffie twice, Beaux Collins and Michael Hayes for touchdowns. In the championship, St. John Bosco scored on every possession Uiagalelei took snaps. He played mistake free football in the Braves’ last two games.

Corona Centennial receiver Gary Bryant caught the game-winning touchdown in the Huskies’ opening victory over St. Paul. After the score, a St. Paul defensive back whispered to a teammate, “that kid’s really good.”

Bryant also caught a touchdown in Corona Centennial’s quarterfinal defeat to Corona Del Mar. Bryant’s top play of the day came when he made a circus first down reception in triple coverage against the Sea Kings.

Mater Dei receiver Kody Epps caught four touchdowns in pool play against Orange Lutheran. The senior-to-be also caught a touchdown in the semifinals against St. John Bosco. Epps and quarterback Bryce Young were the Monarchs’ most consistent performers.

JSerra receiver Keyan Burnett came down with an incredible one-handed touchdown grab against Narbonne in pool play. Burnett made the catch despite having a Narbonne defender hanging all over him.

On the defensive side, St. John Bosco’s Kourt Williams and Jake Newman had strong afternoons. Williams had an interception in the title game and Newman did an excellent job containing Mater Dei and Corona Del Mar’s dynamic receiving corps en route to the Braves’ championship win.