El Toro Defense Prevails : Football: Capistrano Valley, trailing 23-19, fails to score on 11 plays inside the Chargers’ 21-yard line in the last five minutes.

El Toro High School kept Capistrano Valley from reaching the end zone on 11 plays inside its 21-yard line in final five minutes of play to earn a 23-19 victory Friday night before a crowd of 8,100 at Mission Viejo High School.

El Toro cornerback Jason Bailey knocked down a pass intended for Capistrano Valley’s David Poltl in the end zone with 2:21 remaining and then the Chargers survived two plays in the final 27 seconds to win their sixth straight game and avenge last year’s 22-21 loss that decided the top team in Orange County.

The game featured two of the county’s premier passers--Tony Solliday and El Toro’s Rob Johnson--but it was two goal-line stands by El Toro’s defense that proved to be the difference.

“Defense wins championships, at least that’s what every book I’ve ever read says,” said Bob Johnson, El Toro’s coach. “Our secondary was the absolute worst in the first half and saved us at the end.”

Capistrano Valley (5-1, 1-0) had several opportunities to win the game after trailing, 23-19. The Cougars drove to El Toro’s eight-yard line with five minutes remaining, but Solliday threw two incompletions and then was sacked, setting up fourth down from El Toro’s nine-yard line.

But on fourth down, El Toro free safety Danny Maestas was called for pass interference when he went over the back of intended receiver Brian Peterson, and Capistrano Valley had new life and four more downs to score.

Capistrano Valley tried two running plays with little success and then Solliday was sacked again for a two-yard loss, setting up another fourth-down play. This time, Bailey deflected Solliday’s pass attempt and El Toro appeared to have stopped Capistrano Valley.

But Jon Petke blocked El Toro punter Brad Hulse’s kick from his own end zone and Capistrano Valley had one more chance to win at El Toro’s 21 with 27 seconds remaining. This time, Solliday failed on two pass attempts.

Solliday was brilliant most of the game, completing 12 of 26 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. But the senior was only 5 of 14 in the second half.

Johnson had a sporadic game, completing 12 of 19 attempts for 142 yards. El Toro running back Bret Sanders made up for Johnson’s ineffectiveness, rushing for 133 yards.

Afterward, Johnson pointed to a questionable pass interference call against Maestas in the fourth quarter and said he was grateful the call didn’t cost El Toro a victory.

“I thought the receiver slipped and fell down,” Johnson said. “If that call goes against us and we lose, I’m not a very happy camper.”

Instead, Johnson looked like a lotto winner, raising his hands high and then embracing linebacker Brian Haas as the gun sounded.

Capistrano Valley held a 19-17 lead at halftime. Solliday connected with Patton’s youngest son, Scott, on a 38-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds remaining that wiped out El Toro’s 17-13 lead.