CULVER CITY, Calif. – In 2008, Keith Price led the St. John Bosco Braves to a level of success they hadn't enjoyed in the short history of the Trinity League.
The Braves finished the season 7-3, but it wasn't enough to earn a spot in the playoffs because they finished fourth in league behind Servite, Orange Lutheran and Mater Dei.
In high school, Price would have been happy to just make the playoffs. Now as an alum, he has much higher expectations for St. John Bosco.
"I want to see them win state," Price said.
The bar is set a little higher since Price's departure.
The current University of Washington quarterback isn't alone feeling his former school can accomplish such lofty goals. St. John Bosco is in national conversations and will enter the season as a top-10 team nationally, according to various publications.
Current Cal wide receiver Bryce Treggs still keeps in contact with some of his former high school teammates, and his feelings are the same.
"I'm just telling them to go out there and win a state championship," Treggs said. "There's no reason that they can't. They have the talent and they have the great coaches."
Since Jason Negro took over as head coach in 2010, the Braves have increased their win total every season. The Braves won five games in his first year, eight in his second, and last year they went 12-1 on the field (although they did have to forfeit their first four wins of the season) before having their season ended by Long Beach Poly in the PAC-5 semifinals.
In 2011, the school reached the playoffs for the first time in seven years.
Treggs was huge for the 2011 team. He had over 1,300 yards receiving, 11 touchdowns and even threw a touchdown pass in the Braves' run to the PAC-5 quarterfinals.
From Price coming up short in 2008 to Treggs' excellent season in 2011, the alums take ownership in the huge strides the program has made recently.
"Me and Keith Price and other guys like Leon McFadden, who just got drafted to the Cleveland Browns, we sort of started the change in the program and now to see it as a national powerhouse, it's just great to see that," Treggs said.
The expectations are large for St. John Bosco in 2013 and everyone is watching, including some of their most recent, famous alums.
