Mission Viejo at least got something besides a loss

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Mission Viejo has a two-game losing streak, which I believe is its first since 1999 -- Bob Johnson’s first season coaching the Diablos.

There was, of course, the second-half meltdown against Vista two weeks ago, and that was a long time to think about blowing a 14-0 halftime lead.

But Johnson said after his team’s 35-7 loss to Concord De La Salle on Saturday that his squad took some steps forward. ‘A lot of steps,’ he said. ‘The score doesn’t indicate it because we got big-played to death, but you take a couple of plays away and we’re in that game.’

In particular, Mission Viejo was on the verge of tying the score at 14-14. After a short punt, they had driven 31 yards and had first-and-goal situation at the nine-yard line. But a holding penalty and sack eventually pushed them back to fourth and goal from the 35. Nathan Casey punted to the five, and two plays later, Blake Wayne connected on a quick slant to Michael Czyz for an 85-yard touchdown. Instead of being tied, De La Salle had a 21-7 lead with 4:22 left in the first half.

Then De La Salle scored on the opening possession of the third quarter and the game was over.

‘I thought we played hard and gave up the big plays,’ Johnson said. ‘But we learned a lot.’

No sense in playing an opponent who’s not going to teach you something.

- Martin Henderson