Coach Johnson’s Diablos Beat Marina for First Victory

After four losses by a total of 17 points, Mission Viejo got its first victory under Coach Bob Johnson by beating Marina, 28-20, Friday night at Mission Viejo.

Diablo quarterback Billy Hart completed nine of 15 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore running back Robbie Dubois rushed for 97 yards and scored the deciding touchdown on a 66-yard screen pass from Hart on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Running back Ray Mietkiewicz of Marina, playing with a broken wrist and sore shoulder, still managed to gain 210 yards in 26 carries and score two touchdowns to lead the Vikings. Mietkiewicz scored on a one-yard run in the first quarter and a four-yard run with 7:09 left in the game to get Marina within eight at 28-20.

The Vikings (2-2-1) got the ball back with 2:10 left and drove to the Diablo 34-yard line, but two incomplete passes ended the drive.

Mission Viejo (1-4) scored on three of four first-half possessions with wide receiver Justin Shultz catching two scoring passes from Hart of 20 and 13 yards, respectively. Marina quarterback Beau Brown scored on a 38-yard run to tie the score at 14-14 with 6:56 left in the first half.

The Diablos took the lead for good on a five-yard run by Dubois with 42 seconds left in the first half.