Peninsula Pounds Mission Viejo

Chris Beal ran for touchdowns of 55 and 64 yards to lead Palos Verdes Peninsula to a 57-19 rout of Mission Viejo in a Southern Section Division II playoff game Friday at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa High.

The Diablos could not solve Peninsula’s option attack. The Panthers rolled up 473 rushing yards, including 14 runs of more than 10 yards. Beal ran for 138 yards, with Brandon Miyoshi adding 94 yards and Keon Nayebdadash picking up 91.

Mission Viejo quarterback Billy Hart completed 20 of 35 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions in the first half and completed just two of his first eight passes. After two of Beal’s three interceptions, the Panthers scored on the next play.

Peninsula (11-0) scored more than 55 points for the fourth time in five weeks. Mission Viejo, which lost its first four games before rebounding to earn its playoff berth, finished the season 4-7.

After Hart’s first interception, Beal ran 64 yards for the game’s first score. The Panthers then scored on their next three possessions and took a 29-7 halftime lead. Peninsula also scored on its first four possessions of the second half and at one point led 50-7.