Mission Viejo and San Clemente are two of the top teams in the nation (San Clemente is ranked 87th, Mission Viejo 13th). Both teams are coming into this match up undefeated with an identical 9-0 record. With both Mission Viejo and San Clemente on such an impressive run, this rivalry is as exciting as they come. To make this game even more important, Bob Johnson, head coach for the Mission Viejo Diablos will coach his final regular season home game after coaching the Diablos since 1999. He is the third-winningest coach in California state history. He has coached high school football in Orange County for 35 years.

MVP

Christian LaValle

Mission Viejo

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Mitch Dossey

Mission Viejo

Mitch is a two-year letterman on both the varsity football and baseball team. He received the 2016-2017 Spirit of the Diablo Award and the Excellence for English Award. Mitch is a student leader within Saddleback Church and consistently makes the “A” Honor Roll. He plans to attend San Diego State University to pursue a degree in business.

Riley Croft

San Clemente

Riley is a three-year varsity football letterman and is set to break the all-time Triton Football Career Tackles Record. He is 1st team All South Coast League 2016 and a member of the 2016 Division 1-A State Champion Football Team. Off the field, Riley is an Eagle Scout, a member of the SCHS Faith and Humanity Club and a six time recipient on the superintendent’s Honor Roll. Riley plans to attend BYU and serve his mission.

HALL OF FAME

Colin Schooler

Mission Viejo

As a team captain last season, Colin led Mission Viejo to a 41-3 victory over San Clemente. He had 96 yards rushing, a touchdown reception and caused a fumble. Colin earned 3 letters in football as a running back and linebacker. He was a 2 time team captain for the football program and team MVP as a senior and was ranked 43rd in the nation. Colin is currently a linebacker for the University of Arizona.

Kyle Murphy

San Clemente

Kyle was a three-year starter on the offensive line and was a US Army All American and South Coast League MVP on the 2011 team that went to the Pac-5 finals. He went on to be a 1st team All Pac-12 player at Sanford and was a Rose Bowl Champion. Kyle Murphy is currently in his 2nd season as an offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers.

GAME SUMMARY

The Diablos took control early, scoring 21 points in a two minute span of the first quarter after punting on their first possession. A Mission Viejo penalty gave the Tritons a first down and a 40-yard run, cutting the Mission lead to 21-7 with 7:24 left in the half. The Tritons made it a one touchdown game on a lucky play late in the half to make it a 21-14 Diablos lead with 1:06 before the half. It turned out to be like most games for Coach Johnson and Mission Viejo, the Diablos defeated San Clemente, 49-21, to conclude the regular season undefeated and win the South Coast league championship and the school’s 17th league title since Coach Johnson began coaching, and making it his 23rd career league championship.