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BELLFLOWER — Orange Lutheran’s football team prepared for its Trinity League opener at St. John Bosco by navigating a challenging nonleague schedule that included a duel with the reigning national champion. The Braves tested their young squad as well, introducing a freshman quarterback to elite competition.

Both strategies set the stage for an intriguing showdown Friday, and the teams didn’t disappoint.

Freshman Koa Malau’ulu tossed four touchdowns in the second half, including the go-ahead strike with 50 seconds left, to rally host St. John Bosco past Orange Lutheran 28-24 in a thrilling game.

The game produced five lead changes in the second half — including four in the final 12 minutes — and ended with the Braves sacking Orange Lutheran QB TJ Lateef near midfield.

“I knew he had the moxie. I knew he had the savvy to be able to go out there and play,” St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro said of Malau’ulu, who tossed a 23-yard TD to Carson Clark with 50 seconds left for the go-ahead score.

St. John Bosco (6-0, 1-0), ranked No. 2 in the nation by MaxPreps, started Malau’ulu in place of emerging Matai Fuiava. Negro said Fuiava — who has passed for more than 1,000 yards — was available but nursing injuries.

With the Braves trailing 10-0 at halftime, Malau’ulu responded with TD passes in the third quarter to Daniel Odom and Madden Williams as St. John Bosco took a 14-10 lead.

The teams traded the lead multiple times in the fourth.

Orange Lutheran (4-2, 0-1), ranked No. 16th in the nation by MaxPreps and seeking its first victory against the Braves since 2010, took a 24-21 lead on a 5-yard TD run by Steve Chavez with 4:02 remaining.

But Malau’ulu calmly led the Braves down field for a comeback in his first Trinity League game. “Greatest league in the world,” he said.

The Lancers led 10-0 at halftime behind their ball-control offense and defense.

Orange Lutheran opened the first quarter by chewing up nearly seven minutes in driving for a 32-yard field goal by Aiden Migirdichian.

The Lancers’ offense seemed to show several twists on the drive, including a pass back to Lateef.

Orange Lutheran consumed the final three minutes of the first quarter and marched to the St. John Bosco 2 for a fourth-and-goal in the middle of the second period. The Braves’ defense stopped a scramble by Lateef in a play that loomed more significant as the game progressed.

The Lancers’ defense then forced a quick punt to give its offense the ball at the St. John Bosco 38. Orange Lutheran stayed aggressive and capitalized with a 30-yard TD pass from Lateef to wide open tight end AJ Ia on a fourth-and-2. The strike opened a 10-0 lead.

Linebacker Talanoa Ili helped the Lancers’ defense finish the half strong with a tackle for a 2-yard loss on third down.

Next week, Orange Lutheran plays host to JSerra at Orange Coast College on Oct. 11. St. John Bosco plays host to Santa Margarita on the same night.

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