South Coast League : El Toro Intercepts Stark 5 Times in 17-14 Upset

Capistrano Valley High School’s heralded quarterback, Scott Stark, had another big passing night with 272 yards, but El Toro’s defensive secondary intercepted five passes as the Chargers gained a 17-14 upset victory Friday night in the South Coast League opener for both schools in Mission Viejo Stadium.

An overflow crowd of 4,500 saw Stark, the county’s leading passer with 864 yards and 9 touchdowns coming into the game, repeatedly frustrated against an inspired El Toro defense. Stark had thrown only two interceptions all season, but El Toro’s secondary had three at halftime and a 17-7 lead.

El Toro effectively contained Stark by mixing up a strong pass rush with a series of coverages that were devised by Charger defensive coordinator John Johansen. The Chargers’ fine junior tackle, Scott Spalding, led the pass rush, and Shane Brisbin led the interception parade with two.

“That was the sweetest win in a long time for El Toro,” Charger Coach Bob Johnson said. “We presented the players with a challenge of trying to stop the county’s best passer and they responded. The defense absolutely played one of the best games of their lives.”

The complexion of the game changed dramatically in the second quarter when El Toro capitalized on two errant passes by Stark and a fumble by Cougar fullback Tom Grieco. Brisbin kicked a 24-yard field goal, tailback Eric Brass scored on a 6-yard run and quarterback Bret Johnson threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Chris Bailey following the turnovers.

It looked like it might be a long night for El Toro when the Cougars drove 80 yards in four and a half minutes on their first possession to take a 7-0 lead. Capistrano Valley also showed it can strike quickly when Stark connected with Todd Beightol on a 57-yard scoring play in the third quarter.

But for most of the evening, Stark was under heavy pressure by a determined El Toro defense. He finished by completing 22 of 35 passes for 272 yards.

El Toro had hoped to counter Capistrano Valley’s passing attack with a ground-oriented offense designed to keep possession and the ball out of Stark’s hands. Brass provided the punch, gaining 137 yards on 29 carries, including 82 yards in the second half.

“We went back to some serious basics this week,” Johnson said. “We decided to go with the power sweeps with Eric at tailback, and he helped us win the game. This one of my best wins ever.”

El Toro, which won league titles on the freshman, sophomore and varsity levels last year, continues to play the role of the intruder in the league that had previously been dominated by Mission Viejo and Capistrano Valley. The Chargers improved to 2-2 overall while Capistrano Valley slipped to 3-1.

In other action:

Mission Viejo 27, San Clemente 12--The Diablos’ Todd Yert ran for three touchdowns to lead Mission Viejo in San Clemente.

Yert, who rushed for 82 yards on 19 carries, scored twice on 4-yard runs and once a 3-yard sweep.

His 3-yard sweep around right end with 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter clinched the game for Mission Viejo (1-0, 4-0).

San Clemente (0-1, 1-2-1) stayed with the larger Diablos for much of the game. The Tritons took the early lead on Alex Baker’s three-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. San Clemente kicker John Valdez missed the extra point.

Running back Dan Morgan’s 38-yard run set up the touchdown. Morgan led the Tritons with 87 yards on 16 carries.

Mission Viejo went ahead to stay on Yert’s first touchdown run in the second period. Wayne Preheim’s fumble recovery on the Triton 34-yard line set up the go-ahead score.

The Diablos’ next score came two plays after Dennis Erk’s second interception of the game. Erk picked off Baker’s pass and ran 31 yards to the 9-yard line.

Yert scored on a four-yard run two plays later.

Craig Whitley then picked up a loose ball on San Clemente’s next possession and carried it 22 yards for the score to give the Diablos a 20-6 lead.

The Tritons got back in the game when Baker completed a seven-yard touchdown pass to Brad Zell on the first play of the fourth period. However, a two-point conversion pass attempt fell incomplete.

Baker completed 12 of 23 passes for 129 yards for the Tritons.

San Clemente had one other scoring opportunity, but Mission Viejo’s Pat Jarvis stopped the drive with 2:36 left with an interception.

The Diablos then drove 52 yards in five plays for their final score.

Diablo quarterback Brendan Murphy threw for 120 yards on 10 of 21 passing attempts.