Capistrano Valley Downs Los Altos

Tom Grieco proved Friday night that Capistrano Valley High School is more than a passing fancy as he rushed for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a 30-24 win over Los Altos in a first-round Southern Conference playoff game at Cougar Stadium.

“They couldn’t stop him,” said Capistrano Valley Coach Dick Enright. “With Grieco, we have power. We’re not just a passing team. He and Erik Hannah came through for us.”

Hannah kicked a 24-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to give Capistrano Valley a 30-24 lead with 5:09 to play. After that, Los Altos (7-3-1), the No. 2 team from the Sierra League, went to a hurry-up offense.

Cougar defensive lineman Butch Benoit secured the win by recovering a fumbled Los Altos snap with 2:01 left. Then, Capistrano Valley (9-1-1), the No. 2 team from the South Coast League, ran out the clock.

Cougar quarterback Scott Stark had another outstanding passing game. The 6-foot 3-inch senior completed 19 of 30 attempts for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 280 yards gave him 2,986 on the season as he passed former Los Altos quarterback Rob Hertel and moved into fifth place on the all-time Southern Section single-season list.

Quarterback Mark Smith led Los Altos by completing 16 of 25 attempts for 272 yards and 1 touchdown.

Los Altos led, 24-21, with 4:41 left in the third quarter after Chad Dunn made a 31-yard field goal.

But the Cougars rallied with nine four-quarter points to win.

Capistrano Valley took lead at 27-24 with 11:29 left when Grieco scored on a three-yard run to cap a 75-yard, 13-play drive.

Capistrano Valley’s first touchdown came three plays after Cougar defensive back Steve Tullar’s interception in the first quarter. Brent Parker caught a 15-yard pass from Stark for the score, giving the Cougars a 7-0 advantage.

Los Altos responded with a 75-yard, 9-play drive which culminated on Jim Jastrab’s one-yard run.

Grieco put the Cougars back in front, 14-7, with a three-yard run in the second quarter. The Conquerors rallied to tie it at 14-14 on Jastrab’s three-yard run.

The Cougars took a 21-14 halftime lead when Stark threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Todd Beightol with 2:03 left in the second quarter.

Mission Viejo 35, Nogales 6--Fullback Todd Yert scored 5 touchdowns and gained 88 yards on 18 carries to the lead the Diablos to the victory. Mission Viejo (9-1-1) intercepted four passes in the runaway win, and Yert has scored 21 touchdowns. Nogales finished 8-3. Southern Section Single-Season Passing

Pos. Player (School) Year Yards 1. Mike Smith (Los Altos) 1982 3,437 2. Pat Haden (Bishop Amat) 1970 3,127 3. Michael Johnson (Baldwin Park) 1984 3,076 4. Pat Haden (Bishop Amat) 1969 3,008 5. Scott Stark (Capistrano Valley) 1985 2,886