Nemeth Does Job for Aliso Niguel

Scott Nemeth rushed for 164 yards in 24 carries and scored a touchdown on a 40-yard interception return to lead Aliso Niguel to a 40-21 victory over Mission Viejo at Aliso Niguel High Friday.

Nemeth, normally the Wolverines’ starting quarterback, filled in for running back Trent Perley, who was sidelined by a respiratory ailment.

“The plan was to start with Nemeth running the ball then give him more rest and start going with the passing game,” Aliso Niguel Coach Joe Wood said.

Nemeth changed those plans.

After gaining 63 yards in the first half in 10 carries, Nemeth piled up 101 yards in 11 carries in the second half and helped the Wolverines pull away.

“When we started getting closer, [Nemeth] is the type of guy who likes to take over a game and that’s sure what he did,” Mission Viejo Coach Bill Denny said.

After a blocked punt led to an Aliso Niguel field goal, Nemeth intercepted Jake Fitch’s pass and ran 40 yards for the touchdown to give the Wolverines a 9-0 lead.

Mission Viejo got as close as three points when Fitch threw eight yards to Eric Crisp for a touchdown. But the Wolverines answered when John Hefty caught a 29-yard pass from Wes Thomas, who was making his first varsity start in place of Nemeth.

Aliso Niguel’s defense scored again when Jeremy Miller picked up a Fitch fumble and ran eight yards for the touchdown.

Mission Viejo rallied in the second half when David Gutierrez ran five yards for a touchdown and Nick Gilliam kicked a 47-yard field goal to make it 23-15. Aliso Niguel drove 65 yards, with Nemeth accounting for 40 of them, to set up Waltzman’s 27-yard field goal.