PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS / SOUTHERN CONFERENCE : Mission Viejo Cruises to Convincing Victory

Mission Viejo won its Southern Conference first-round playoff game in a convincing manner, defeating Katella, 28-0, Friday in front of 4,000 at Mission Viejo Stadium.

Diablo quarterback Troy Kopp passed for 269 yards and a touchdown. Running back Eric Ekdahl carried 18 times for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jay Williams gained 124 yards and scored once in 14 carries.

Ekdahl scored the Diablos’ first touchdown on a two-yard run with 11 seconds left in the first quarter. He kicked the extra point to give the Diablos a 7-0 first-quarter lead.

Ekdahl scored again with 2:48 left in the third quarter on a seven-yard run and again kicked the extra point for a 14-0 lead.

The Diablos scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

With 10:53 left, Steve Miller caught a Kopp pass for an 83-yard touchdown play. Ekdahl’s kick made it 21-0.

Jay Williams scored on a two-yard run with 7:13 remaining, and Ekdahl added the game’s final point.

Coach Bill Crow’s Diablos (10-1), the South Coast League champions, will play Cerritos next Friday.

Katella finished the season 6-4-1.