Bresnahan, Johnson Seeking Diablo Job

The head football coach vacancy at Mission Viejo High has two of the county’s most successful coaches hoping to get back into the game.

Steve Bresnahan, formerly of Laguna Hills, and Bob Johnson, formerly of El Toro, are among those applying for the Diablo job.

Bresnahan, a physical education teacher at Laguna Hills, led the team to the 1997 Southern Section Division VIII championship. He resigned as Hawk coach last June.

“I have filed a request for a transfer,” said Bresnahan, who was 87-34-2 in 11 seasons at Laguna Hills. “I don’t know if that’s the only thing I have to do. That’s all I’ve been told.

“I would like to get back into coaching and stay in the Saddleback district. Mission Viejo is very similar to Laguna Hills in the type of student they have. The opportunity is there, so I want to look into it.”

Johnson resigned from El Toro in 1991 after compiling a 119-45 record in 13 seasons. His teams made the playoffs 13 consecutive years, winning six league and three section titles.

“I haven’t been coaching a team and that’s what I miss,” Johnson said. “I also know there will be many people interested in the job.”

Steve Carnes, who took over at Mission Viejo after the death of Coach Bill Denny last summer but planned to coach only one season, resigned last week. “At this point I just want to stay an athletic director,” Carnes said.

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Tickets for the Southern Section Division I and VI championship football games this weekend go on sale beginning today at the participating schools.

Prices for the Division I game between Mater Dei and Long Beach Poly on Saturday night at Edison Field are $9 and $10 for reserved seats, $8 general admission and $4 general admission for children age 12 and younger.

Tickets are available through Friday at Mater Dei High from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. each day and at Poly from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m. each day. Tickets will be sold at the Edison Field box office only Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m. Game time is 7 p.m.

The game will be televised live by Fox Sports West 2.

Last year, Poly defeated Mater Dei in the title game, 28-25, in the Coliseum.

Only general admission tickets will be sold for the Division VI matchup between Woodbridge and Santa Margarita on Friday night at Cal State Fullerton. Prices are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger.

Tickets can be purchased at Woodbridge from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. today and Thursday, and until 1 p.m. on Friday. At Santa Margarita, tickets will be sold from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. The kickoff is scheduled for 7:30.