Irvine’s Victory Clinches Sea View League Title

IRVINE — Tony Mathis scored three touchdowns to help Irvine clinch its second consecutive Sea View League title with a 35-21 victory over Saddleback on Friday night at Irvine High.

Irvine, ranked third in Orange County, improved to 8-1, 6-0 in league. Saddleback fell to 2-7 and 1-5.

Irvine had a comfortable 28-7 lead at halftime and played mostly reserves in the second half.

Mathis, who rushed for 103 yards on 15 carries, and quarterback Mike Phelps, who completed 11-12 passes for 99 yards, did not play in the second half.

Mathis’ one-yard touchdown run with 2:59 left in the first quarter, gave Irvine a 7-0 lead.

But Saddleback tied the score, 7-7, on a 80-yard touchdown run by Mel Nete with 2:12 left in the first quarter.

Mathis scored a 10-yard touchdown run with 9:06 left in the second quarter to give Irvine a 14-7 lead. Mathis also scored a one-yard touchdown run with 5:56 left in the first half to put the Vaqueros ahead, 21-7.

Sean Clark scored a two-yard touchdown run with 1:24 left in the first half to give Irvine a 28-7 lead.

Irvine moved out to a 35-7 lead when Dennis Gaitor scored from a yard out with 10:55 left in the game.

Saddleback quarterback Danny Ruvolo scored a nine-yard touchdown run with 8:31 left in the game to close the gap at 35-14.

Ruvolo’s five-yard touchdown pass Jeremy McClasson with 3:11 left in the game trimmed the lead to 35-21.