Mission Viejo Takes Down San Clemente in Alpha League Opener

Mission Viejo Takes Down San Clemente in Alpha League Opener

Mission Viejo, California – Mission Viejo High School triumphed over San Clemente High School with a decisive score of 34-16 in their Alpha League opener held on Friday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m. PT.

The game showcased a competitive first half, which concluded with a tie at 10-10. Both teams experienced multiple turnovers, creating a tense atmosphere on the field. San Clemente opened the scoring with an impressive touchdown pass from quarterback Eiler King to wide receiver Jaxson Rex. In response, Davonte Curtis of Mission Viejo managed to tie the game with a short rushing touchdown.

The second quarter saw both teams successfully convert field goals, maintaining the deadlock at halftime. However, the second half belonged to Mission Viejo, which outscored San Clemente 24-6, decisively shifting the momentum of the game.

Second Half Dominance

Mission Viejo established their lead in the third quarter, beginning with a field goal from Caleb Sylvia followed by a one-yard touchdown run from Matthew Dalhover, bringing the score to 20-10. Curtis continued to shine, scoring a second touchdown for the Diablos shortly after, extending their lead to 27-10.

San Clemente attempted to mount a comeback with a touchdown pass from second-string quarterback Preston Beck to Shane Kiley; however, the team’s hopes were dashed when they failed to convert the subsequent two-point attempt.

Standout Performances

Mission Viejo’s quarterback, Luke Fahey, had a stellar performance, completing 25 of 31 passes for 292 yards and tossing a 35-yard touchdown pass to KJ Woodbury in the fourth quarter. Davonte Curtis contributed significantly with two rushing touchdowns, further solidifying Mission Viejo’s offense.

Caleb Sylvia proved to be a key player on special teams as well, successfully kicking field goals from 47 and 25 yards, while ensuring all seven of his kickoffs resulted in touchbacks.

Impact on Team Rankings

With this victory, Mission Viejo improved its overall record to 7-1 and secured the top spot in the Orange County Top 25 rankings. Meanwhile, San Clemente’s record fell to 4-4, placing them at No. 12 in the same rankings.

Looking Ahead

Moving forward, Mission Viejo is set to face Edison in their next outing, while San Clemente will take on Los Alamitos next Friday. The results of these upcoming games could have significant implications for both teams as they continue their seasons in the competitive Alpha League.

Coaches’ Perspectives

The performance in the second half was largely attributed to the senior leadership of Mission Viejo. The contributions from experienced players were seen as a crucial factor in their ability to shift gears and dominate the latter half of the game.