Mission Viejo claims second state title with win over De La Salle in Division 1-AA bowl

Mission Viejo running back Hinesward Lilomaiava is pursued by De La Salle linebacker Drew Cunningham during the CIF Division 1-AA state championship bowl game on Friday night at Saddleback College. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Up against the winningest program in state bowl history, Mission Viejo added to its own legacy Friday night at Saddleback College, pulling away from De La Salle in the second half for an impressive 27-14 victory in the CIF Division 1-AA game.

It was the Diablos’ second state bowl triumph and first in six seasons under head coach Chad Johnson. It came two weeks after they captured the Southern Section Division 2 crown — their eighth section title and first since the last of their five titles under previous coach Bob Johnson, who piloted them to the Division 1-AA state bowl championship over Bellarmine Prep in 2015.

Mission Viejo stuck with the formula that has worked all season, alternating quarterbacks Luke Fahey and Draiden Trudeau and each threw a touchdown pass to Phillip Bell. Fahey also threw an eight-yard scoring pass to Vance Spafford to put the Diablos up 24-7 late in the third quarter. Trey Tolmaire intercepted a pass to set up the score.

Travis Anderson’s interception at the Diablos’ 29-yard line with two minutes left ended any hope of a De La Salle comeback.

Mission Viejo wide receiver Phillip Bell catches a pass in the end zone over De La Salle defender Ant Dean during the first half of the CIF Division 1-AA state championship bowl game on Friday night at Saddleback College. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

“All year long I heard no one believed in our system. Teams were doubting us,” Fahey said. “Draiden and I read all the articles and look at us now. We proved it could work. We’re close friends and it doesn’t matter if he’s doing better or I am, we do it for each…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mission-viejo-claims-second-state-072347440.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2023-12-09 07:23:47

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