News Summary
In their Alpha League opener, the Mission Viejo football team achieved a commanding 34-16 victory against San Clemente. With a strong performance from senior quarterback Luke Fahey, who completed 25 of 31 passes for 292 yards, Mission Viejo secured their spot as a top contender in the league. The first half ended in a tie at 10-10, but strategic plays in the second half propelled the Diablos to a decisive win, solidifying their ranking as No. 1 in the Orange County Top 25.
Mission Viejo – The Mission Viejo football team secured an impressive 34-16 victory over San Clemente in their Alpha League opener on Friday night at Mission Viejo High School. This win establishes Mission Viejo’s strong footing in the league as they strive for continued success.
The game was evenly matched at halftime, with a score of 10-10. Both teams struggled with turnovers in the first half, characterized by multiple interceptions and fumbles. Mission Viejo’s senior quarterback, Luke Fahey, rose to the occasion in the second half, significantly contributing to the Diablos’ scoring efforts.
Fahey completed 25 of 31 passes, amassing a total of 292 yards throughout the game. His performance in the third quarter was particularly noteworthy as he completed his first six passes, finishing that quarter with 172 yards on 13 of 17 passing. Fahey’s pivotal moment came in the fourth quarter when he connected with KJ Woodbury Jr. for a 35-yard touchdown pass, further solidifying Mission Viejo’s lead.
In addition to Fahey’s contributions, junior receiver Jack Junker played a critical role by making seven receptions for 100 yards. Running back Davonte Curtis also made his mark, rushing for two touchdowns which helped propel Mission Viejo to victory. Kicker Caleb Sylvia played a significant role as well, successfully kicking field goals of 47 and 25 yards while sending all seven of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.
Following this win, Mission Viejo is ranked No. 1 in the Orange County Top 25 and carries an overall record of 7-1. In contrast, San Clemente, currently ranked No. 12, now holds a record of 4-4.
In the latter stages of the game, San Clemente’s sophomore quarterback, Preston Beck, attempted to rally his team. He completed 7 of 10 passes for 119 yards, including a touchdown pass to Shane Kiley. Running back Carson Sloan also contributed to San Clemente’s efforts with 92 rushing yards on 22 carries.
The game began with early mistakes as Mission Viejo’s Ryder Brown caused a fumble, which was recovered by Sawyer Thomson. Shortly after, a mishap on a snap led to another fumble recovery for San Clemente by Payton Proffitt. San Clemente initially took the lead with a touchdown pass from Eiler King to Jaxson Rex, but Mission Viejo quickly countered with a 2-yard touchdown run from Davonte Curtis to tie the game.
San Clemente regained the lead moments later with a 21-yard field goal by Ethan Miller. However, Mission Viejo tied the game again with a field goal from Sylvia, and San Clemente struggled in the closing moments of the second quarter, leading to turnovers on their final three possessions.
In the third quarter, a field goal from Sylvia put Mission Viejo ahead 13-10. A subsequent 1-yard touchdown run by Matthew Danhover increased their advantage to 20-10. Early in the fourth quarter, Curtis scored again on a 4-yard run, extending the lead to 27-10. Fahey’s final touchdown pass capped the scoring, ultimately securing the 34-16 victory.
Looking ahead, Mission Viejo is set to face Edison in their next game, while San Clemente will take on Los Alamitos next Friday. Coach Chad Johnson emphasized the importance of senior leadership as a key factor in the Diablos’ strong second-half performance. With a commitment to improvement, Fahey stated the team’s goal is to achieve a win each week, a target they accomplished this game.
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High School Football Heats Up in Orange County
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Mission Viejo Takes the Lead in Orange County Football Rankings
Orange County High School Football Teams Compete This Week
Additional Resources
- Sporting News: Mission Viejo vs. San Clemente Live Score Updates
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Orange County Register: Mission Viejo Back at No. 1
- Google Search: Mission Viejo football
- MaxPreps: Mission Viejo Picks Up Third Consecutive Win
- Google Scholar: Mission Viejo High School football
- USA Today: How to Watch San Clemente vs. Mission Viejo
- Encyclopedia Britannica: American Football
- Sports Illustrated: Live Updates Mission Viejo vs. San Diego Lincoln
- Google News: Mission Viejo football high school
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO 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.
