Villa Park Recovers in Time to Win

Villa Park turned the ball over four times in the first half Thursday night against Mission Viejo. But the Spartans recovered in time to rally from an 11-point deficit and hand the Diablos their fifth consecutive loss, 16-13, at El Modena High.

Despite their first-half troubles, Villa Park (4-1) actually led after a poor snap on a Mission Viejo punt attempt went for a safety and a 2-0 Spartan lead.

Villa Park turned the ball over on its next two possessions, however, and the Diablos converted the miscues into a 10-2 lead.

The Spartans started to get things in order on their final possession of the half. Wide receiver Chuck Reid went 12 yards on a double reverse for a first down, then caught a 24-yard scoring pass from Sam Stremick to narrow the Diablo lead to 13-10 at the half.

Another bad snap on a Diablo punt attempt, this one on the opening play of the fourth quarter, set up the only score of the second half.

Villa Park took over at the Mission Viejo 17 and gained eight yards on three plays. They went back to the razzle-dazzle on fourth down and Reid scooted around left end on another double-reverse for a 9-yard touchdown and a 16-13 lead.

Mission Viejo had one final chance when Scott Carr recovered a fumble at the Spartan 47 with 2:19 to go. The Diablos moved down to the Spartan 29, but Gregg Carr’s pass was intercepted by Roman Roacho to clinch Villa Park’s victory.