SOUTH COAST LEAGUE : Capistrano Valley One-Ups Mission Viejo, Escapes With Victory

The method of operation for 10th-ranked Capistrano Valley and Mission Viejo during their South Coast League opener Friday night at Capistrano Valley seemed to be “anything you can do, I can do better.”

And when the final whistle sounded, Capistrano Valley had done it better enough to escape with a 28-21 victory.

Throughout the night, every trick one team tried seemed to be a reaction to whatever the opposition had just done. Capistrano Valley scored first, Mission Viejo matched it--back and forth all night--giving the Cougar homecoming crowd of 3,500 every reason to believe that he who had the ball last, would prevail.

So . . . when Mission Viejo--trailing by seven points with 4 minutes 39 seconds to play--took over on its own 44-yard line, even the Capistrano Valley ballboys began to think ahead.

“Now (Mission Viejo) has some decisions to make after they score,” said one.

Running back John Higashi, who had already scored on runs of nine and one yards, carried five consecutive times to give Mission Viejo a first down on the Cougar 35. Quarterback Brad Weekes and Higashi rushed on the Diablos next four downs setting up a second-and-nine situation at the 11.

Weekes couldn’t find receiver Matt Denny, who had four Cougars on him, in the end zone. On third down, Higashi was thrown for a two-yard loss. Finally, on fourth and 11 with 18 seconds left, Weekes--who was almost sacked by Grant Hibbs--had his pass attempt batted down by Adam Lapes.

“He who plays good defense when they have to,” Cougar Coach Eric Patton said.

Running back Dan Geiss had a lot to do with Capistrano Valley (4-2, 1-0 in league) winning this one. Due in large part to Geiss (20 carries, 140 yards), the Cougars established the running game. The Diablos (3-3, 0-1) countered with Higashi (27 carries, 106 yards).

Geiss scored on an 11-yard run in the first quarter, which Todd Fielding promptly matched with a 10-yard scoring run. Gabe Payne caught a 17-yard pass from Sam Gaines. Mission Viejo answered back with a nine-yard scoring run by Higashi.

Capistrano Valley took a 20-14 halftime lead on a two-yard run by Geiss, but the extra point was blocked. In the third quarter, Mission Viejo went ahead, 21-20, on Higashi’s one-yard run, but Capistrano Valley scored the winning touchdown with 8:36 left in the game on a three-yard run by Geiss. Payne caught a pass from Gaines on the conversion attempt for the 28-21 lead.