Dana Hills Ends ‘Frustrating’ Season on a High Note

Though the obvious sentiment was “too little, too late,” finishing on the winning end of a close South Coast League game was cause for celebration on the Dana Hills sideline Friday night. And laments of what might have been for El Toro.

The Dolphins, whose three league losses were by a total of seven points, took a 19-point fourth-quarter lead and held on to prevent El Toro from sharing the South Coast League championship with San Clemente, defeating the Chargers, 42-37, at Trabuco Hills High.

“It’s been a very frustrating year, but I’m proud of the kids,” said Dana Hills Coach Scott Orloff. “The league championship didn’t run through Dana Hills.”

The Dolphins (2-8, 2-3 in league) fell behind, 17-7, early in the second quarter, but got two touchdowns in an 81-second span to take a 21-17 lead midway through the quarter.

Taking over with two minutes remaining in the half, Dana Hills drove 78 yards and scored on a 10-yard pass by Mike Bergey to Matt Morgan.

After halftime, Dana Hills scored on a 15-yard quarterback sneak by Bergey to go up, 35-17, and forced El Toro to punt on the ensuing possession. But Bergey was intercepted for a second time by El Toro’s Vinnie Mascari, who returned the ball 41 yards to set up Ryan Switzer’s one-yard touchdown run.

Dana Hills went up, 42-23, with 8 minutes 23 seconds remaining in the game on Kyle Kelly’s three-yard plunge.

The Chargers (6-4, 3-2) got touchdown passes of 13 and eight yards from Evan Whitaker to pull within five points, but their onside kick attempt with two minutes remaining went out of bounds, enabling Dana Hills to run out the clock.