Mission Viejo Stops Two-Pointer and El Toro

MISSION VIEJO — Mission Viejo High’s Eric Fielding sacked El Toro quarterback Bill McFadden on a two-point conversion attempt with 59 seconds remaining to preserve a 23-22 South Coast League victory Friday night at Trabuco Hills High School.

The victory gave Mission Viejo a shot at the playoffs. But now the Diablos must play the waiting game. If Irvine beats Capistrano Valley tonight in Irvine, then Mission Viejo (7-3, 3-2 in league) will finish third and clinch a playoff spot. If Capistrano Valley wins, the Diablos will have to wait for a phone call Sunday to find out if they got the lone at-large berth in the Division II playoffs.

El Toro (3-6-1, 1-3-1) thoroughly dominated the Diablos in the first half while taking a 16-0 lead on a 33-yard scoring pass from McFadden to Wade Jackson, a blocked punt that went through the end zone for a safety and a 16-yard scoring pass from McFadden to Tom Waldron.

Mission Viejo’s Joe Christie kicked a 33-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining.

Mission Viejo rallied in the second half. Deron Drake, who had 112 yards in 24 carries, scored on a four-yard run to cut El Toro’s lead to 16-10. Senior Payson LeMeilleur then hit Anthony Ramirez for a 17-yard score to tie the score, 16-16, with 9:14 remaining. The extra-point attempt failed.

Fielding then scored on a 31-yard run with 5:52 remaining.

El Toro did not let Mission Viejo celebrate too long. On third and goal from the six with 59 seconds remaining, McFadden hit Jason Bailey in the right corner of the end zone for a touchdown.