Gaines, Payne Earn Victory for Cougars

MISSION VIEJO —  While both offenses sputtered most of Friday night, Capistrano Valley quarterback Sam Gaines and wide receiver Greg Payne were able to make a connection when it counted and the Cougars scored an 18-8 South Coast League victory over El Toro at Trabuco Hills High.

“A lot of people tease Greg and I that we look alike, so it only makes sense that we got together for some big gains,” said Gaines. “Actually, that happens every once in awhile. I get in a click with one of my receivers and tonight it just happened to be Greg.”

Gaines was seven of 17 for 121 yards, but Payne caught four of the passes for 100 yards and set up Capistrano Valley’s second touchdown and a fourth-quarter field goal that clinched the game.

Capistrano Valley’s defense shut down El Toro, which scored its only points on a 43-yard interception by Matt Harding on the first drive of the second half. El Toro (2-5-1, 0-3) converted the two-point conversion.

Leading, 15-8, Payne caught a 32-yard pass to give Capistrano Valley a first and 10 at the El Toro 11 midway through the fourth quarter. Then, three plays later, Jeff Cellini kicked a field goal.

Capistrano Valley (5-3, 2-1) built a 15-0 lead in the first half by scoring touchdowns on its first and last drives and adding a safety late in the first quarter.

The Cougars put together a crisp seven-play drive on their first possession. Dan Geiss, who had 131 yards in 28 carries, scored from seven yards out and Capistrano Valley led, 7-0. Late in the first quarter, El Toro took over at its own one-yard line. Running back Jeff Brizic and quarterback Bryan Lefevers mishandled the handoff and Brizic was gang-tackled in the end zone for a safety.

On its last drive of the half, Capistrano Valley scored on an 18-yard pass from Gaines to Payne.