Featured Games : Foothill vs.Mission Viejo

The records--Foothill (9-2), Mission Viejo (9-1-1).

The site--Mission Viejo Stadium

The conference--Southern

Foothill update--After opening the season with 26-7 losses to Capistrano Valley and La Quinta, the Knights have won nine straight, including last week’s 14-7 victory over Esperanza. They have outscored opponents, 187-47, in that span. Foothill’s defense, led by linebackers Tom Quinn and Barry Walshe and defensive back Chris Cutliff, has five shutouts. On offense, the Knights rely on tailback John Fischbeck (817 yards and 8 touchdowns) and versatile slotback Keith Takabayashi. Quarterback Chris Fergus completed 6 of 12 passes for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns against Esperanza.

Mission Viejo update--The Diablos opened the playoffs with a 35-6 victory over Nogales. Fullback Todd Yert gained 88 yards in 18 carries and scored 5 touchdowns. Yert has rushed for 901 yards and 21 touchdowns, and Darrin Sweazy has rushed for 622 yards. Quarterback Brendan Murphy has completed 75 of 140 passes for 1,138 yards and 8 touchdowns, as Mission Viejo’s offense has averaged more than 27 points a game. Receiver Bob Doran has caught 48 passes for 850 yards and 9 touchdowns. Mission Viejo’s defense has held opponents to 12 points a game.

Key to the game--Foothill’s ability to generate an offense. If the Knights can score two touchdowns or more, and their defense does its usual job, they’ll defeat the Diablos.

Consensus--This is the third straight year these teams have met in the second round of the playoffs. Foothill eliminated Mission Viejo in 1983, and the Diablos upset the Knights in overtime last year. That loss should provide Foothill with plenty of incentive to defeat Mission Viejo, but its the Knights’ defense that makes them a slight favorite.

El Modena vs.Capistrano Valley

The records--El Modena (10-1), Capistrano Valley (9-1-1).

The site--Cougar Stadium.

The conference--Southern

El Modena update--The fourth-seeded Vanguards scored all of their points in the first half of last week’s 35-0 first-round victory over Paramount. Tailback Ross Bauer, who has rushed for 1,627 yards and 22 touchdowns this season, gained 142 yards and scored twice in the first half. He didn’t play in the second half. Quarterback Chris Gallego, who has passed for 1,480 yards and 15 touchdowns, completed 7 of 11 attempts for 127 yards and a touchdown in three quarters. El Modena, two-time defending Southern Conference champion, has four outstanding two-way linemen in Don Gibson (6-3, 250), Allen Ennis (6-1, 220), Grant Grable (6-1, 215) and Robert Nasser (6-4, 190). Gibson and Ennis will be playing their 40th games for the Vanguards.

Capistrano Valley update--Several players, including star receivers Nathan Call and Todd Beightol, and Cougar Coach Dick Enright have been suffering from the flu this week. Call, who has caught 70 passes for 904 yards and 13 touchdowns, and Beightol (64 receptions for 1,080 yards and 10 touchdowns) aren’t at full strength, but they’ll play. Record-setting quarterback Scott Stark, who increased his Orange County single-season passing mark to 2,986 yards in last week’s 30-24 victory over Los Altos, is healthy. Stark needs 142 yards to pass Pat Haden (Bishop Amat, 1970) and move into second place on the Southern Section’s all-time, single-season career passing list. Mike Smith (Los Altos, 1982) is the leader with 3,437 yards.

Key to the game--Defense. These are two of Orange County’s highest scoring teams (both average more than 30 points a game) but the game probably won’t be decided by offense. El Modena must slow Stark and his receivers, and Capistrano Valley must contain Bauer and Gallego.

Consensus--The Vanguards have the better runner and the Cougars have the better passer, but Gallego gives El Modena a much more balanced offense. That, and the Vanguards’ size advantage on the line and superior defense, gives El Modena the edge.

El Toro vs.Los Alamitos

The records--El Toro (8-3), Los Alamitos (10-1).

The site--Hanford Rants Stadium at Gahr High School.

The conference--Southern

El Toro update--The Chargers played one of their best offensive games last week, beating West Covina, 28-12, after sophomore quarterback Bret Johnson completed 11 of 12 first-half passes for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns. His leading receivers are Chris Bailey (45 catches for 788 yards) and Scott Miller (40 catches for 575 yards). And offense isn’t even the South Coast champions’ forte; they have an excellent defense led by tackle Scott Spaulding (6-5, 235 pounds), linebacker Mike Gonzales, and defensive backs Jim Hargy, Shane Brisbin and Adam and Eric Brass.

Los Alamitos update--The Griffins’ strengths are their fine passing game and ability to make the big play. Last week’s 17-14 victory over Cerritos, as the previous week’s 24-21 win against El Dorado to clinch the Empire League co-championship, featured thrilling Griffin rallies. Quarterback J.T. Snow and receiver Robby Katzaroff were named their league’s co-players of the year this week for those very reasons. Katzaroff will be rejoined by tight end Don Dubry, who will try to return to action after a knee injury. But the Griffin defense, which has done a good job all season, will be missing one of its leaders this week, as tackle Rob Gordon suffered a knee injury against Cerritos.

Key to the game--The Chargers knocked the Griffins out of the playoffs in the first round last season. The obvious question tonight will be whether Snow, Katzaroff & Co. can move the ball past the Chargers’ big line and through an outstanding defensive secondary. Any misfires could allow the Chargers, who already have 31 interceptions, to break the county record of 32 set by Pacifica in 1978.

Consensus--Griffin Coach John Barnes said, “We would have to be considered two-touchdown underdogs,” and although his team has responded surprisingly well to similar challenges, the Chargers’ superior size and balance make them the clear favorite.