News Summary
Luke Fahey led the Mission Viejo Diablos to a 35-23 victory over Mater Dei, securing the championship title at the South County Classic 7-on-7 tournament. Despite missing key player Vance Spafford, younger receivers stepped up, showcasing their talents. Fahey threw five touchdown passes, emphasizing the importance of such tournaments for team cohesion ahead of the high school football season. This event highlighted the competitive landscape of regional high school football, setting high expectations as teams gear up for the season.
Mission Viejo – Quarterback Luke Fahey led the Mission Viejo Diablos to a resounding 35-23 victory over Mater Dei, clinching the championship title at the South County Classic 7-on-7 tournament. Fahey’s impressive performance included throwing five touchdown passes, helping the Diablos complete the tournament with a perfect 7-0 record.
Despite the absence of key wide receiver Vance Spafford, who was sidelined due to illness, Fahey credited the team’s younger receivers for stepping up. Receivers including Jack Junker, Hayden Koo, KJ Woodbury, Carson Vandermade, Luke Karby, and Max Markofski played crucial roles, showcasing their talents in critical moments. Fahey emphasized that events such as the South County Classic are vital for the team’s chemistry and help prepare them for the upcoming high school football season.
During the championship game, Fahey connected on two touchdown passes to running back Davonte Curtis, two passes to receiver Jack Junker, and the final touchdown to KJ Woodbury. Mater Dei, led by quarterback Ryan Hopkins, had taken a brief lead in the match, going ahead 23-21 after Hopkins tossed three touchdown passes—one to tight end Mark Bowman and two to running back Malachi Roby and wide receiver Gavin Honore.
Mater Dei, which had earlier victories against Capistrano Valley and Centennial, faced its own challenges during the tournament, including missing players. It was noted that several strong teams battled similar issues, impacting their performance in the tournament.
Earlier this year, the Diablos showcased their strength by winning the Millikan passing title and continued to demonstrate their competitive edge in the South County Classic. The team also benefited from a strong defensive presence, which included an interception from Washington commit Jeron Jones in the matchup against Mission Hills.
In addition to the standout performance by Mission Viejo, the tournament reflected the competitive landscape of high school football across the region. For instance, the Grant Pacers, led by quarterback Luke Alexander, secured the CIF State Division 2-AA Championship with a nail-biting 35-28 win over Pacifica. The Grant Pacers have had a remarkable season that included three consecutive NorCal banners and two state titles within the last three years.
Season highlight outcomes have varied across schools, as exemplified by the Central High football team, which faced a strong but ultimately disappointing end to their campaign after falling to Edison-Huntington Beach with a score of 21-14. In that championship, critical drops in the fourth quarter hindered their efforts to secure the victory.
As the high school football season approaches, performances at tournaments such as the South County Classic not only refine player skills but also build team synergy and set expectations for what lies ahead in competitive play.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Mission Viejo and San Clemente’s Football Teams Win Passing Tournaments
- Wikipedia: High School Football
- VC Star: Pacifica’s Bid for 2nd State Football Title
- Google Search: High School Football Championships
- Sac Bee: High School Sports News
- Google Scholar: High School Sports
- Fresno Bee: Prep Football Updates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: American Football
- OC Register: Mission Viejo Football Wins Triple Crown
- Google News: High School Football Tournaments
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
