News Summary
The Mission Viejo High School football team secured a 19-14 victory against the University Trojans in a thrilling playoff game. Quarterback Bailey McNeal led the team with a standout performance, passing for 256 yards and three touchdowns. The defense shined with two interceptions, contributing to the team’s strong performance. This win marks another step in Mission Viejo’s successful playoff journey as they prepare for their upcoming match against Santiago.
Mission Viejo – The Mission Viejo High School football team triumphed over the University Trojans with a score of 19-14 in a playoff matchup that showcased their strong performance and tactical efficiency. This significant victory advances Mission Viejo deeper into the playoffs and sets a positive tone for their upcoming games.
The game, which was broadcasted on the NFHS Network as part of the California Interscholastic Federation’s (CIF) official partnership with Mission Viejo High School, featured impressive displays from both teams. Mission Viejo quarterback Bailey McNeal had a standout performance, passing for 256 yards and tossing three touchdown passes, setting a new career-high in passing yards. A key contributor to McNeal’s success was Leah Vanderveen, who caught 100 of those passing yards and secured one of the touchdown receptions.
On the defensive side, Mission Viejo’s unit was formidable, intercepting two passes during the game. The interceptions were credited to players Emma Eldred and Brooklyn Koedel, who has also shown consistency through her performance in the last three games by defending at least one pass in each. Additionally, Emily Johnson played a crucial role on defense, tallying a total of eight tackles, one of which was for a loss, and successfully defended three passes.
Mission Viejo has been on a strong winning streak, having emerged victorious in six of their last seven matchups, which brings their current season record to 15-14. During this impressive run, the team’s defense has limited opponents to an average of just 9.3 points per game, highlighting their stout performance as they progress through the playoffs. In contrast, the University Trojans have faced considerable challenges recently, losing three of their last four games with a current record standing at 10-14.
Looking forward, Mission Viejo is set to host the Santiago team at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday following their recent victory. Meanwhile, the University Trojans have concluded their season with no further games scheduled.
In addition to the upcoming Santiago game, Mission Viejo will also face San Clemente High School on Friday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m. PT, providing another opportunity for the team to build on their momentum from this playoff win.
This strong playoff performance from Mission Viejo emphasizes their resilience and commitment to teamwork, paving the way for the next steps in their postseason journey.
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Additional Resources
- USA Today High School Sports
- Orange County Register
- Sporting News
- MaxPreps
- Sports Illustrated
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Google Search: Mission Viejo High School football
- Google Scholar: California high school football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Google News: Mission Viejo football
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.
