Dave Poltl

School: Capistrano Valley High School

Sport: Football Position: Receiver Class: Senior

If he had so chosen, Poltl could have broken the Orange County career-receptions record a week earlier, late in a 38-14 victory over Camarillo. But Poltl decided to come out of that game with 167 catches, one shy of the record set by Kennedy’s Rick Parma in the early 1970s, and go for the record under more meaningful circumstances. Friday, it happened against Mission Viejo in the semifinals of the Division II playoffs. Poltl’s two receptions in the first half--of five and 15 yards--broke the record, but his first catch of the second half--a 72-yard touchdown pass from Tony Solliday--gave the Cougars a 17-3 lead in a game they went on to win, 26-24. With one game remaining in his high school career, Poltl, who finished with six receptions for 142 yards in the game, has 173 receptions. Capistrano Valley Coach Eric Patton praised Poltl but said the record wouldn’t have been possible without a team effort. “Everybody shares in this record because we had to go three games in the playoffs for him to get it, and Dave couldn’t do that himself,” Patton said. Other top performers:

Jorge Luviano, who set a Magnolia school record by scoring four goals Thursday in a 4-1 soccer victory over Rancho Alamitos.

Keith McDonald, who completed 15 of 21 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner to Reid Pullen with three seconds remaining in Esperanza’s 38-35 victory over Hart in a Division III semifinal Friday.

Kenny Overby, who rushed for 156 yards in 20 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead Sunny Hills to a 23-10 victory over Valencia in a Division VI semifinal Friday.

Tes Whitlock, who scored 49 points--30 in the fourth quarter--to lead Loara to a 100-94 victory over Pacifica in a nonleague basketball game Friday.