Bodnar, Mater Dei Handle Mission Viejo, 28-11

Steve Bodnar gained 190 yards in 21 carries to lead Mater Dei to a 28-11 victory over Mission Viejo in a South Coast League game Friday.

Bodnar’s 92-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and two touchdown passes by John Flynn, plus El Toro’s loss to San Clemente, gave the Monarchs (7-1, 3-0 in league) sole possession of first place.

Freshman quarterback Austin Moherman, making his varsity debut, drove the Diablos 66 yards on the opening drive. His first pass, a 41-yard completion to Matt Denny, set up an 18-yard field goal by Todd Fielding.

Mater Dei took a 14-3 lead in the third quarter on a six-yard touchdown pass by Flynn to Lele Sualua.

Mission Viejo (3-5, 0-3) bounced back on a 71-yard touchdown pass from running back Jeff Williams to Denny. The two-point conversion pass from Moherman to Corey Ricketts reduced the Monarch lead to 14-11.

In the fourth quarter, Mater Dei scored on a 23-yard pass from Flynn to Robert Kim and Derrick Ford recovered a fumble in the end zone.

Robbie Tritz, who intercepted two passes last week, again led the Monarch defense with two more interceptions and a fumble recovery.

John Higashi was the leading rusher for the Diablos with 47 yards in 14 carries.