Snowden Steps Out of Shadows Into Limelight

Tim Snowden of Mission Viejo High School is not the best quarterback in Orange County. Heck, he’s not even the best in the South Coast League.

But he’s the only quarterback in his league whose team is undefeated. And to Snowden, that means a heck of a lot more than any personal honors.

“Yeah, I don’t get a lot of publicity in this league, but I got a league championship,” said Snowden, a senior. “I got what I need.”

The Diablos got what Snowden needed Friday night with a 21-9 victory over El Toro at Mission Viejo High School that clinched at least a share of the league championship.

Sure, it was a victory secured by the defense, which dominated the Chargers and held on to a 21-7 halftime lead. But it was Snowden who provided the lead in the first place.

In the first half, he completed eight of 14 passes for 114 yards. More importantly, he threw three touchdown passes that erased a 7-0 El Toro lead.

“The line did a great job of giving me time to throw,” Snowden said. “And the receivers ran great routes and made great catches.”

You’ll have to excuse Snowden for not stepping into the spotlight. It’s an unfamiliar place for him.

For the past two seasons, Snowden has gone relatively unnoticed because of two of the league’s outstanding quarterbacks--Steve Stenstrom of El Toro and Tony Solliday of Capistrano Valley. Those two have gotten most of the publicity and, last year, it was Solliday who got the league championship.

Entering Friday’s game, Snowden was had completed 104 of 152 passes for 1,498 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was the third-rated passer in Orange County. However, the two players ahead of him were El Toro’s Rob Johnson and Solliday.

“None of that really bothers me,” Snowden said. “Really. I could be the worst quarterback in the world right now and it wouldn’t matter.”

El Toro took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter, but Snowden brought the Diablos right back.

Faced with a third and 16 at the El Toro 26, he scrambled 15 yards to get Mission Viejo close enough to get the first down. Four plays later, Snowden faked a hand off and hit Doug Roberson for a four-yard touchdown pass.

On the Diablos’ next drive, Snowden completed four of five passes for 59 yards. Twice on third and long, he connected with Roberson for first downs.

Snowden capped the drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Bill Denny, who out-jumped defensive back Chris Adams for the ball.

“I didn’t even see that one because was hit right when I threw it,” Snowden said. “I wasn’t sure if Bill was going to get it or it would be intercepted.”