Mission Viejo Comes Up Empty at Morse

Mission Viejo High School football Coach Bill Crow brought his team to Morse High in San Diego Saturday to test his defense against a speedy offense.

But it was the Morse defense that displayed the quickness, sacking Mission Viejo quarterback Tony Arnone three times and intercepting him once.

Morse’s German Puentes provided the scoring, with his 36-yard field goal with 7:15 remaining as Morse shut out Mission Viejo, 3-0, at San Diego’s Balboa Stadium.

This was the third straight year Mission Viejo has opened the season against Morse, and it is the first time the Diablos have lost.

“We’ve always been able to score points,” said Crow. “That’s what upsets me the most, to look up at the scoreboard and see zero under the visitors. . . . We self-destructed out there.”

Morse began its scoring drive on its own 31. Quarterback Willie Davis optioned to Larry Maxey, who gained 11 yards. Davis kept the ball on the next play for eight yards. With Mission Viejo expecting another option, Davis handed off to George Jackson, who powered his way off tackle for 12 more yards.

Four different Morse runners rushed for 67 yards on the drive, before Puentes was called in on fourth and 16.

Crow said he had high hopes for Mission Viejo’s passing game. In the first half, the Morse pass rush easily penetrated the inexperienced Mission Viejo line.

Still, Arnone had success hitting wide receiver Don Bailey. He also connected with running back Darrin Sweazy with short-yardage screens, but the offense couldn’t sustain a drive.

Mission Viejo’s best chance of scoring was eliminated after Arnone brought the team down to the Morse 23-yard line late in the third quarter. Then two consecutive sacks forced a quick release on a fourth-and-nine situation from the 30. The next play, Arnone was intercepted by Morse’s Melvin Maxwell at the 10.