Mission Viejo’s loss a complete stunner

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I didn’t see this one coming, and really, who did?

Vista, unranked in San Diego County, pulled a 26-14 shocker on Friday over Mission Viejo -- ranked No. 5 in the Southland, No. 8 in the state. The Panthers (3-1), a state power in the 1970s and ‘80s under then-coach Dick Haines (320-126-12), returned to glory on a statewide level for one night, anyway.

A couple different accounts of the game came to the same conclusion: Mission Viejo got whacked.

Mission Viejo (3-1) used a short field to score in the final seconds of the first half to go ahead, 14-0, but Vista seized momentum in the second half. It harassed quarterback Allan Bridgford, at one point sacking him on three consecutive plays, and its offense outgained Mission Viejo’s, 272 yards to 19, in the second half.

So far, Vista owns the South Coast League as it beat Aliso Niguel, 20-7, a week ago.

Mission Viejo is idle this week before playing host to the state’s top-ranked team, Concord De La Salle.

You can bet the farm Vista-Mission Viejo is going to be must-see video for future Diablos opponents.

- Martin Henderson