HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : Chrishon Provides the Spark as Mission Viejo Wins, 42-23

Derek Sparks of Santa Ana Mater Dei has been the most talked about high school running back in Orange County this season. However, his name was hardly mentioned Saturday night when the Monarchs played against Mission Viejo.

Most of the 4,000 attending the Southern Section nonleague game at Mission Viejo High turned their attention to Marcellus Chrishon, a relative unknown who rushed for 200 yards in 21 carries and scored four touchdowns to lead Mission Viejo to a 42-23 victory.

Chrishon, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound senior, scored on runs of 67, 38, 15 and one yards. He had 145 yards rushing by halftime.

Sparks, the much publicized player who transferred from Montclair Prep last month, finished with 138 yards in 23 carries. His only touchdown was on a three-yard pass with seven seconds remaining. In his two previous games with Mater Dei, Sparks had rushed for 465 yards and six touchdowns.

Mission Viejo, which begins South Coast League play next week, improved its record to 4-1. Mater Dei, which was 2-0 with Sparks in the backfield, is 2-3.

“We have our own Derek Sparks,” Mission Viejo Coach Mike Rush said. “And his name is Marcellus Chrishon. We told our kids before the game to let the sparks fly. Give our line a lot of credit, too,”

Mater Dei scored first on a 32-yard field goal by Cliff Roberts in the second quarter, but Mission Viejo and Chrishon took over from that point.

Chrishon broke loose for a 67-yard touchdown run on the next possession. His 15-yard touchdown five minutes later gave the Diablos a 21-3 lead.

In the third quarter, when it appeared Chrishon had been dropped for a loss, he broke through five tacklers on his way to a 38-yard touchdown run to put the Diablos ahead, 35-9.

“All we talked about before the game was Derek Sparks,” said Chrishon, who hadn’t rushed for more than 100 yards in a game this season. “I think Derek Sparks just stayed home tonight. We knew we had to stop him and we sure did. Our offensive line just played better. I’m very happy.”