Mission Viejo Rallies, but Not Enough to Win

Murrieta Valley held off a fourth-quarter rally to defeat Mission Viejo, 23-20, in a nonleague game Friday night at Murrieta Valley High.

The Diablos (0-4) struggled in the first half, falling behind, 15-0, but running back Robbie Dubois came alive in the third quarter. He helped his team march 62 yards and culminated the drive with a six-yard touchdown run.

Dubois scored twice more in the fourth quarter on runs of one and seven yards, but each score was followed by unsuccessful conversions, and Mission Viejo held only a five-point lead with five minutes left to play.

Murrieta receiver Brandon Jewell then caught a pass from Todd Roth for 58 yards to the Diablo two-yard line. Two plays later, Roth carried it in from two yards with four minutes left.

The Diablos had one last chance. Quarterback Billy Hart’s low pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and caught by wide receiver Wyatt Kraft, who ran for 15 yards before turning the ball back to Murrieta on a fumble.

Roth was 10 of 17 for 187 yards.

Dubois finished with 131 yards in 22 carries, and Hart was 8 of 21 for 122 yards.

Mission Viejo and its new coach, veteran Bob Johnson, will look for their first victory of the season when they host Marina next Friday night.