Capistrano Valley Hangs On to Ball, Wins

In a game that had been close for three quarters, Capistrano Valley pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 16-6 victory over Dana Hills Friday night in a South Coast League game at Capistrano Valley High.

The Cougars (4-3, 1-1) took a 7-6 lead into the final quarter before Gabe Payne scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Gaines with 9:55 remaining.

Capistrano Valley Coach Eric Patton said it had been eight years since the Cougars played in weather conditions as severe as Friday’s downpour.

“I’m surprised we only committed one turnover,” said Patton, who has been a Capistrano Valley coach since 1977 and is in his sixth year as head coach. “We threw the ball to Blake (Spence) early in the game and then it happened to work out and things opened up for us.

“(We were lucky) because on a night like this, anything can happen.”

Junior Mark Reynosa scored the only points for Dana Hills (2-4, 0-2) on a three-yard run with 18 seconds left in the first quarter.