Hart Streak Snapped in 31-14 Loss

Mission Viejo High exploded for 24 p4oints in the last quarter to shock Hart, 31-14, Saturday night before a crowd of 1,400 in Mission Viejo Stadium.

The win snapped Hart’s 14-game winning streak, third longest in the Southern Section. Hart’s last loss was in its season-opener last year against Canyon.

Hart went into the fourth quarter with a 14-7 lead behind the passing of quarterback Darren Renfro. Renfro passed for 232 yards but also threw three interceptions and failed to complete his last six passes in the final minutes of play.

Mission Viejo tied the score, 14-14, on the first play of the fourth quarter when quarterback Troy Kopp threw the first of his two touchdown passes in the pivotal period. Kopp connected with running back John Burns on a 15-yard scoring play, triggering an avalanche of points for the Diablos. Mission Viejo added three more touchdowns in a 7 1/2-minute span.

Kopp gave the Diablos the lead for good when he teamed with wide receiver Steve Miller on a 79-yard touchdown play. Miller slipped behind two defenders, caught the ball at midfield, then raced to the end zone for a 21-14 lead.

Moments later, Miller returned a punt 20 yards to set up yet another Mission Viejo touchdown. Fullback Jay Williams scored on a 17-yard run, but Mission Viejo wasn’t finished.

The Diablos added a 31-yard field goal by Eric Ekdahl for a 31-14 lead and Hart’s streak was over.

Renfro had a big first half, completing 14 of 19 for 155 yards and 1 touchdown. He showed no favoritism, throwing to seven different receivers as the Indians continually burned Mission Viejo’s zone coverage in the secondary.

Hart took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Renfro connected with wide receiver Joe DeSchryver on a 17-yard scoring play. Renfro completed five passes for 70 yards and the Indians overcame three penalties in the drive.

Hart increased its lead to 14-0 in the second quarter, capitalizing on defensive end Jim Blowers’ fumble recovery at the Mission Viejo 34-yard line. Renfro’s 18-yard pass to DeSchryver set up Jerry Smith’s one-yard touchdown run.

Kopp got hot before halftime and the Diablos finally got on the scoreboard. Kopp completed 2 passes for 30 yards on a 78-yard drive that was capped by a six-yard scoring run by Burns.