Mission Viejo Does It With Defense, 21-7

MISSION VIEJO —  When in doubt, get defensive.

That’s what Mission Viejo did Friday night in front of a homecoming crowd of 2,500 to defeat San Clemente, 21-7, in a South Coast League game the Diablos needed to win to stay in contention for a playoff spot.

The Diablos (4-4, 2-1 in league) used an interception to set up a score and turned another into a touchdown for their 14th consecutive victory over San Clemente (4-4, 2-1).

After San Clemente opened the scoring on a 10-yard pass from Brett Hall to tailback Allen Vaughan with 4 minutes 1 second left in the first quarter, Mission Viejo took advantage of two offensive miscues by the Tritons to tie the game and pull ahead after three quarters.

The first Mission Viejo score came after defensive back Matt Denny intercepted a Hall pass--Denny had two interceptions on the night--in the end zone for a touchback. The Diablos then marched 80 yards on nine plays, with tailback Adrian Amposta scoring on a 45-yard run midway through the second quarter.

Amposta appeared to have been stopped at the line by the San Clemente defense, but somehow he popped through and scampered up the middle and into the end zone.

Mission Viejo took the lead for good with 4:04 to play in the third quarter when defensive back T.J. Kopkash picked off another Hall pass and returned it 15 yards for the touchdown. It was the third of four interceptions thrown by Hall, who completed 15 of 31 attempts for 194 yards.

“That was the momentum swing and the key play of the game,” Mission Viejo Coach Mike Rush said.

The Diablos added some insurance with 1:19 left in the game on a 76-yard run around left end by John Higashi. The play gave Higashi 137 yards in 10 carries to overtake teammate Amposta (103 yards in 16 carries) for rushing honors on the night.

San Clemente had an excellent opportunity to tie the game, 14-14, late in the game but couldn’t cash in. The Tritons had a fourth and four at the Mission Viejo eight-yard line, but a Hall pass intended for wide receiver Dylan Newland fell short.

They also wasted another promising drive in their previous possession, advancing to the Mission Viejo 21 before a holding penalty and then an interception by Deric Darensbourg got the ball back for the Diablos.

The Triton defense pressured Mission Viejo quarterback Brad Weekes in the first half, sacking him three times. San Clemente also recovered four Diablo fumbles but couldn’t capitalize. Defensive tackles Paul Young and Gary Winsor each had a sack and a fumble recovery.

“It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t pretty,” Rush said. “They (Tritons) fought the battle really tough.”