Capistrano Valley’s Late Rally Falls Just Short

Capistrano Valley Coach Jeff Veeder was ejected in the first half, the Cougars were penalized nine times for a back-breaking 105 yards and they still played probably their best game of the season Friday in a 28-26 loss to visiting Littlerock.

Trailing by eight points in the final minutes, Capistrano Valley (1-4) pulled to within a two-point conversion of a tie when Jeff Dixon ran in from four yards out with 59 seconds left in the game.

But Littlerock (4-1) held on, stopping Daniel Chapman, who rushed for 140 yards in 22 carries, just short of the goal-line on the conversion try.

Indeed, Veeder missed a good comeback effort.

Capistrano Valley’s coach was ejected near the end of the first half after heatedly disputing a penalty call on a play in which the Cougars blocked a field goal.

“I don’t know what I got those penalties for,” Veeder said. “I got two in a row for disputing his call. I was ejected without saying anything accept that it was a horrible call.”

Unless the Cougars are successful in appealing the ejection to the Southern Section, their coach will have to sit out the team’s South Coast League opener next week against San Clemente.

The Cougars trailed, 28-14, early in the third quarter before Chapman scored from nine yards out. The point-after kick failed, leaving Capistrano Valley down, 28-20.