El Toro Remains Perfect by Downing Canyon, 35-0

El Toro High School scored a 35-0 victory over Canyon in the first round of the Southern Section Southern Conference playoffs to improve its record to 11-0 in front 3,500 at Mission Viejo High School.

The Chargers’ received a well-balanced effort from its offense. Quarterback Bret Johnson completed 8 of 14 passes for 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns, wide receiver Scott Miller caught 6 passes for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns and running back Aly Diaz gained 146 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in 13 carries.

After a scoreless first quarter, El Toro took a 7-0 lead with 11:29 remaining in the half on a Diaz 10-yard run and a Dave Nemeth extra-point. The touchdown was set up by a pass interference call against Canyon.

With 4:30 left in the half, El Toro defensive back Sam Weaver intercepted a Matt Waddell pass at the Charger 46-yard line and returned it for a touchdown. Nemeth’s kick made it Chargers, 14-0.

El Toro intercepted Waddell twice, holding the Canyon quarterback to 5 completions in 15 attempts for 52 yards.

With 2:43 left in the half, Diaz scored from 46 yards out to put the Chargers ahead, 20-0.

With 9:53 left in the third quarter, Johson hit Miller with a three-yard scoring pass, and the Charger wide receiver added two extra points on an end-around play for a 28-0 advantage.

Miller scored his second touchdown on a 28-yard pass from Johnson with 11:53 remaining in the game. Nemeth’s extra point gave El Toro’s its final margin of victory and a spot in second-round play next Friday night against the winner of the Paramount-Hawthorne game.