Mission Viejo Wins in Spalding’s Coaching Debut

Senior Quarterback Brad Weekes completed 11 of 22 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown to lead Mission Viejo to a 17-0 nonleague victory over West Torrance Friday night, making a winner of Marty Spalding in his coaching debut.

Weekes put Mission Viejo ahead on the second play from scrimmage, throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Todd Fielding, who was wide open in the end zone.

“We have a pretty young ball club mixed with some seniors,” Spalding said before the game. “It’s a whole new staff and a whole new outlook for us this year.”

Following an interception by Mission Viejo’s Joshua Johnson at West Torrance’s 49-yard line, the Diablos went up 14-0 on a five-yard touchdown run by tailback John Higashi. The key play of the 40-yard, five-play drive, was a 30-yard pass to Corey Ricketts on fourth and 13.

Mission Viejo’s defense took control in the second half, holding West Torrance to only eight yards rushing. The Diablos finished with four sacks for minus 23 yards.

The Diablos also intercepted three passes, including one by Matt Denny, who returned it 12 yards to West Torrance’s 35. That set up a 40-yard field goal by Fielding, giving Mission Viejo a 17-0 lead.