News Summary
In their Alpha League opener, Mission Viejo triumphed over San Clemente with a final score of 34-16, improving their record to 7-1. The game was closely contested early on, but Mission Viejo took command in the second half with strong offensive plays. Davonte Curtis shone with two rushing touchdowns, while Luke Fahey completed 25 of 31 passes. The victory solidifies Mission Viejo’s ranking as the top team in Orange County as they prepare for their next match against Edison.
Mission Viejo secured a decisive victory over the San Clemente Tritons with a final score of 34-16 in their Alpha League opener on Friday night. This win improves the Diablos’ overall record to 7-1, solidifying their position as the top team in the Orange County Top 25 rankings.
The game started with an impressive play from San Clemente as Eiler King threw a touchdown pass to Jaxson Rex, giving the Tritons an early 7-0 lead. However, Mission Viejo quickly responded with Davonte Curtis scoring on a 2-yard rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 7-7. San Clemente regained the lead thanks to Ethan Miller’s 21-yard field goal, making it 10-7 before halftime.
As the first half culminated, Mission Viejo’s Caleb Sylvia kicked a 47-yard field goal to tie the game 10-10. Both teams exhibited strong defensive efforts and multiple turnovers, leading to a tightly contested first half.
Second Half Dominance by Mission Viejo
The Diablos took control of the game in the second half with a series of scoring drives. Sylvia kicked a 25-yard field goal to give Mission Viejo a 13-10 lead. The score increased to 20-10 when Matthew Dalhover scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, ending the third quarter with momentum firmly in the Diablos’ favor.
Mission Viejo’s Curtis added another rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 27-10. Despite a score by San Clemente, where Preston Beck threw a touchdown pass to Shane Kiley, the Tritons could only narrow the gap to 27-16, failing to convert on a two-point conversion attempt.
Final Moments and Standout Performances
Luke Fahey capped off the scoring for Mission Viejo with a 35-yard touchdown pass to KJ Woodbury, sealing the 34-16 victory. Fahey completed an impressive 25 of 31 passes for a total of 292 yards and one touchdown, demonstrating his effectiveness in leading the offense.
Davonte Curtis was highlighted for his outstanding performance, finishing with two rushing touchdowns, while Caleb Sylvia contributed effectively with two field goals and all seven kickoffs resulting in touchbacks.
On the other side, San Clemente fell to a 4-4 record after the defeat. Preston Beck, who took over as quarterback, completed 7 of 10 passes for 119 yards, making a notable effort in their late-game rally. Carson Sloan led the Tritons’ rushing attack with 92 yards on 22 carries.
Looking Ahead
Mission Viejo is set to play against Edison next week as they look to maintain their high ranking and strong performance. Meanwhile, San Clemente will host Los Alamitos, aiming to bounce back from this defeat.
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Mission Viejo Hosts Series of Blood Drives
Mission Viejo Takes the Lead in Orange County Football Rankings
Orange County High School Football Teams Compete This Week
Mater Dei Faces Defeat Against Santa Margarita in Close Game
Rising Star JD Hill Gains Attention from Major Colleges
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Mission Viejo Football Gets Past San Clemente
- USA Today HSS: How to Watch San Clemente vs Mission Viejo
- MaxPreps: Game Preview San Clemente vs Mission Viejo
- SI: Live Updates Mission Viejo vs San Diego Lincoln
- OC Register: Orange County Football Top 25
- Wikipedia: Mission Viejo, California
- Google Search: Mission Viejo High School Football
- Google Scholar: Mission Viejo Diablos Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Google News: High School 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.
