Irvine Running Back Saves His Best for Last : Division II: Seal does his best late in the game. Against Ventura last week, he gained 129 yards in the fourth quarter.

Scott Seal, Irvine High School running back, appears to get stronger the longer he stays in the game.

For instance, in Irvine’s 37-18 victory over Ventura last week in the second round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs, Seal rushed for 144 of his game-high 190 yards in the second half.

He was a one-man gang in the fourth quarter, gaining 129 yards in 16 carries to help Irvine (10-2) advance to a semifinal game at 7:30 tonight against Pasadena Muir (8-4) at Pasadena City College.

Seal has 1,514 yards and 15 touchdowns in 282 carries this season and a reputation of making all the big plays for Irvine. Well, almost every play.

Seal was the intended receiver when Irvine quarterback Jason Minici threw a six-yard pass with 1 minute 54 seconds remaining in the game against Capistrano Valley for the South Coast League championship.

Instead, Danny Kang caught the touchdown pass that gave Irvine a 17-13 victory and its first league title in football. Here is Seal’s version of the winning play:

“Danny was supposed to be blocking and the pass was intended to go to me. But I got held up at the line. When I finally got open, I saw this blur flash in front of me.

“At first, I thought the pass was going to be intercepted. Then, when I saw it was a green uniform, I knew it was Danny. I didn’t care who caught the pass, as long as we scored and won the game.”

Seal’s unselfish attitude is typical for Irvine.

“I’ve always felt this team was different than past Irvine teams,” Seal said. “There’s a certain unity this year that has always been missing. Last year, the seniors hung out together and the juniors hung out together.

“I knew most of the seniors because of my older brother (Mike, now pitching at Loyola Marymount). This year, there are no individuals. We go out together on Thursday nights for dinner and then have our team meals together on game nights.”

Seal credits most of his success to the offensive line, anchored by tackle Curt Cannon. Whenever Irvine needs a first down, Seal generally runs in Cannon’s direction.

“Curt is the leader and a role model,” Seal said. “I’ve promised the linemen that I’m going to do something for them when the season is over. I owe a lot to them.”

Seal also credits the fine blocking of fullback Ryan Jones. Seal’s most productive running play, “45 Power,” calls for Jones to block an opposing defensive end while Seal cuts inside.

Another of Seal’s favorite plays, “47” is a basic running play up the middle in which Seal sucks in the defending middle linebacker and then cuts to the outside.

Seal is the rare combination of finesse with power. He’s not a speedy runner, but he has good lateral quickness. He reads defenses well and finds the holes as effectively as any back in the county.

“The main thing is to stay low and keep your legs moving,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s tough getting out of bed on Saturdays. My back is sore and my legs are bruised. I wear big thigh pads, but I still get some gnarly bruises.

“People have told me that I’m better in the fourth quarter than in the first quarter, but then our whole offense is that way.”