Early’s Interception, Touchdown Lead Trabuco Hills to Final : Division VII: Fourth-quarter plays sink La Mirada, 24-20. Mustangs will face Laguna Hills for title.

Chad Early’s fourth-quarter interception and touchdown three plays later carried Trabuco Hills to a 24-20 victory over La Mirada in a Division VII semifinal Saturday at Trabuco Hills.

With 5 1/2 minutes left in the game, Early intercepted a long pass by La Mirada’s Mike Moschetti in the end zone. Three plays later, Early scored on a 73-yard pass from Pat Barnes that put the Mustangs ahead, 24-14, with 4:15 remaining.

The victory sends Trabuco Hills (8-4-1) to the final for the third time in four years. The Mustangs meet Laguna Hills (9-3-1) Saturday at a site to be determined.

Barnes completed 12 of 32 attempts for 162 yards. Jeff Clayton carried 14 times for 110 of Trabuco Hills 168 rushing yards.

“I feel real fortunate to beat these guys,” Trabuco Hills Coach Jim Barnett said. “We played against a good football team.”

After Early’s score, La Mirada returned the ensuing kick to its 20. Then, on the 15th play of the drive, Moschetti completed his second touchdown of the night to Alex Khasaempanth, this one from the 13-yard line with 37 seconds remaining in the game. Jeff Clayton tackled Carlos Jiminez on the point-after run and La Mirada’s onside kick attempt failed.

Despite winning, Barnett was disappointed with the Mustangs’ execution, especially at the goal line. “(It was) the worst it has been all year,” he said.

With 5:09 left in the second quarter, Tim Blek recovered a Moschetti fumble at the La Mirada 20. Six plays later, Travis White tackled Barnes just short of the goal line on fourth and goal. Then in the final seconds of the first half, Blek recovered another fumble at the La Mirada 20. After failing to gain yardage in three plays, Jason Teno’s 37-yard field goal attempt fell short.

Teno’s 20-yard field goal with 9:43 left in the fourth quarter put Trabuco Hills ahead, 17-14.