Mission Viejo football sprints past Granite Hills to win CIF SoCal 1-AA title – Orange County Register

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MISSION VIEJO — Mission Viejo’s football team arrived at the CIF Southern California Regional final on Friday needing to cool off the hottest squad in San Diego to extend its fairytale season.

The Diablos were more than ready for the challenge.

Sophomore safety Jeron Jones returned an interception for a touchdown early in the third quarter and defensive end Jaden Williams added a forced fumble to set up another score as Mission Viejo defeated Granite Hills 49-21 in the Division 1-AA final at Mission Viejo High.

The Diablos (12-3) scored 49 answered points to reach their first state title game since 2015. They will play De La Salle of Concord in the state final next weekend at a Southern California site to be announced.

Granite Hills (12-1) carried a 21-game winning streak into the regional final after claiming San Diego’s Open Division. The Eagles knocked off previously undefeated Carlsbad and Lincoln — both by one point — to win the four-team division for the first time.

Jones returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown on third play of the second half as Mission Viejo opened a 28-14 lead.

Williams, a junior defensive end, forced a fumble in the middle of the third that the Diablos’ Damian Coblentz recovered at the Eagles 34. Three plays, later, wide receiver Phillip Bell scored on a 5-yard TD run to push the lead to 35-14.

The Diablos’ 49-14 lead in the fourth quarter brought on the running clock.

Mission Viejo hasn’t lost since falling to rival San Clemente on Oct. 13.

“We’ve grown up a lot,” Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson said in the postgame ceremony.

Granite Hills power used a trick play on its first play from scrimmage for an early spark.

A double pass helped set up a 5-yard TD run by Max Turner, who capped the opening 85-yard drive.

Running back Pablo Jackson took a lateral on the first play from scrimmage and completed a 45-yard pass to Josh Zander to move the ball to the Diablos 35.

Granite Hills later drove 62 yards to open a 14-0 lead with 2:48 left in the opening quarter. The Eagles converted twice on fourth down en route a 1-yard TD run by Jackson out of the Wildcat formation.

Mission Viejo responded with three touchdowns to take a 21-14 lead at halftime.

Hinnesward Hinesward capped a 65-yard scoring drive with a 5-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter.

After Mission Viejo’s defense forced a punt on the ensuing possession, quarterback Luke Fahey connected with fellow sophomore Vance Spafford for a 32-yard touchdown pass to tie the score 14-14 with 8:58 left in the second.

Fahey used his legs to spark the Diablos’ third score.

Lilomaiava scored on a 2-yard TD run on third-and-goal to cap a 70-yard drive that featured three, early runs by Fahey. The speedy quarterback highlighted the march by showing his moves on a 23-yard gain to the Granite Hills 15.

Fahey finished with two touchdown passes and a rushing score.

The Diablos reached the regional final by defeating Servite 34-15 on Nov. 25 to claim the CIF-SS Division 2 title.

The preparation for the regional final started the next day. Johnson said he woke up at 5 a.m. to begin the quest for a state title. “Let’s go,” he thought to himself.