Late Rally by Mission Viejo Falls Short

Mission Viejo quarterback Payson LeMeilleur threw a pass that was intercepted with two minutes 34 seconds to play and Compton Dominguez held on to defeat the Diablos, 15-13, in a Division II playoff game Friday night.

James Jackson put the Dons ahead for good when he ran down the sideline 22 yards to the end zone.

After trailing, 6-0, at halftime, the Diablos recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff at its 40-yard line. From there, they marched down field and scored when LeMeilleur connected with Fielding from two yards.

The Dons took a 9-7 lead after Adam Vasquez kicked a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter. Running back Erick Fielding scored his second touchdown of the game and put the Diablos ahead, 13-9, on a three-yard run. The conversion attempt failed.

Dominguez drove 96 yards in 23 plays for the game’s first score in the first quarter. Quarterback Sean Williams scored on a keeper from the one.