October 23, 2025

San Clemente Football Faces Setback Against Mission Viejo

News Summary

The San Clemente High School football team experienced a challenging loss against Mission Viejo High School, ending the game at 34-16 during their Alpha League opener. Despite a tied first half, Mission Viejo surged ahead in the second half, scoring 24 points to San Clemente’s 6. The defeat leaves San Clemente with a 4-4 overall record and raises Mission Viejo’s standing to 7-1. As San Clemente prepares for an upcoming match against undefeated Los Alamitos High, they must address their turnover issues to improve their chances for victory.

Mission Viejo, California – The San Clemente High School football team suffered a disappointing defeat against Mission Viejo High School, falling 34-16 in their Alpha League opener on October 17, 2025. The loss puts San Clemente’s record at 4-4 overall and 0-1 in the Alpha League, while Mission Viejo improves to 7-1 and 1-0 in the league.

The game showcased a tightly contested first half, with both teams entering halftime tied at 10-10, despite a series of turnovers that plagued the performance of both squads. San Clemente was particularly hindered by four turnovers, while Mission Viejo fumbled the ball twice before halftime.

San Clemente initially made a strong showing, taking an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Senior receiver Jaxson Rex caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Eiler King to put the Tritons on the board. However, Mission Viejo quickly responded, with Davonte Curtis securing a 2-yard touchdown run to level the game at 7-7. Following this, San Clemente reclaimed the lead with a 21-yard field goal from Ethan Miller, who made the score 10-7.

Mission Viejo evened the score again, as Caleb Sylvia successfully kicked a 47-yard field goal just before halftime, leading to a balanced 10-10 tie after two quarters. The second half, however, saw a dramatic shift in momentum.

Mission Viejo dominated the third and fourth quarters, outscoring San Clemente 24-6. Early in the third quarter, Sylvia added a 25-yard field goal to give Mission Viejo a 13-10 lead. Minutes later, Curtis scored a 1-yard touchdown, amplifying their lead to 20-10.

Quarterback Fahey exhibited a strong performance, completing 23 of 31 passes for 378 yards. He also connected with K.J. Woodbury Jr. for a 35-yard touchdown, further extending Mission Viejo’s lead. On the other side, San Clemente’s King struggled against Mission Viejo’s defense and was intercepted three times before being replaced by Preston Beck. Beck managed to pass for 119 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Shane Kiley, but it was not enough to close the gap.

The victory is crucial for Mission Viejo, as the win reinforces their position at No. 1 in the Orange County Top 25 rankings. Following the game, Mission Viejo’s coach highlighted the importance of senior leadership in securing the win.

San Clemente now faces a challenging matchup against undefeated Los Alamitos High on October 24, 2025. The Tritons will need to address their turnovers and improve their performance if they are to bounce back in their next game.

This matchup marked a significant kickoff for both teams in the Alpha League, reflecting the competitive nature of high school football in the area. As the season progresses, outcomes like this will be critical in determining playoff prospects and overall standings.