Longhorns Go Down to Defeat

MISSION VIEJO — Strangely enough, a 10-yard punt by Mission Viejo quarterback Payson LeMeilleur was the key play in a 21-14 victory against Rancho Buena Vista on Saturday night at Mission Viejo High School.

Mission Viejo (2-0) broke a 14-14 tie in the fourth quarter on Deron Drake’s third touchdown run of the game, but it was LeMeilleur’s punt on the last play of the third quarter that set up the victory.

On fourth and 10 from the Diablo 32-yard line, LeMeilleur dropped into punt formation, then scrambled after a bad snap that sailed over his head to the Mission Viejo five-yard line. With several Rancho Buena Vista players in pursuit, LeMeilleur managed to pick up the ball and kick it away in one motion out to the Diablo 42-yard line. Rancho Buena Vista (0-2), which had tied the score on its previous drive and had momentum, had to start its drive near midfield.

The Longhorns fumbled on their first play after the punt and Mission Viejo’s Mark Howerton recovered to set up the Diablo touchdown drive.