Mission Viejo’s Double-D Attack Provides Win

Mission Viejo rode a dogged defense and the powerful legs of Robbie Dubois to its first South Coast League title in 12 years as the Diablos knocked off fourth-ranked San Clemente, 21-7, Friday night before 5,000 at Mission Viejo High.

For the second year in a row against San Clemente, Dubois was unstoppable, but not unflappable. Dubois rushed for over 200 yards last year, but it was his turnover last year that led to the Tritons’ game-winning score. This year, Dubois had 194 yards rushing and three touchdowns, but he kept San Clemente (8-2, 4-1) within reach with two fumbles.

But this year, Mission Viejo’s defense had an answer. The unranked Diablos (8-2, 5-0) sacked San Clemente quarterbacks Dan Coviello and Beau Budde seven times and intercepted two passes.

“Our defense rose to the occasion,” Mission Viejo Coach Bob Johnson said. “To give them a short field like that so many times and to hold them to seven points is amazing.”

In addition to Dubois’ turnovers, Diablo quarterback Billy Hart also lost two fumbles. But San Clemente’s offense did not capitalize on any of the Diablos’ four turnovers.

“I would have thought with four turnovers, it would have given us the edge,” San Clemente Coach Eric Patton said. “But their defense played really well and they wanted it more than we did.”

The Tritons made it look easy on their first drive, going 80 yards in just five plays as Chris Smith scored on a 61-yard run. However, it was anything but easy the rest of the game for the Tritons’ offense. San Clemente’s Coviello, who missed the first seven games with a knee injury, completed only five of 13 passes for 51 yards and was intercepted once. He was sacked six times, twice each by linebackers Brandon Kubo and Josh Taylor.

“Dan was really struggling,” Patton said. “He didn’t have his timing down and he just was not ready to play at this level.”

Budde replaced Coviello with eight minutes left in the game, but he didn’t handle Mission Viejo’s attacking defense much better. Budde was six of 11 for 56 yards and he was sacked once. With three minutes left in game and San Clemente trailing, 21-7, Budde’s pass in the end zone to Nick Gardner was picked off by Marcus Dailey, who returned it 66 yards and ended San Clemente’s hopes of a second straight league title.

After San Clemente quick score to open the game, Mission Viejo tied it with 1:23 left in the quarter on Dubois’ nine-yard run. Dubois gave the Diablos a 14-7 lead with seven minutes left in the half on a three-yard run.

Dubois fumbled on his own 24 to open the second half, but Coviello was sacked three times and the Tritons turned the ball over on downs.

“It’s hard to get too mad at Robbie,” Johnson said. “He’s such a workhorse.”

Dubois scored his third touchdown with 1:50 left in the third quarter on a four-yard run.

Mission Viejo fullback Ryan Powdrell left in the first quarter with a possible broken ankle.

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SOUTH COAST

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League Overall School W L T W L T Mission Viejo 5 0 0 8 2 0 San Clemente 4 1 0 8 2 0 Dana Hills 3 2 0 4 6 0 Capistrano Valley 2 3 0 3 7 0 El Toro 1 4 0 3 7 0 Trabuco Hills 0 5 0 2 8 0

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WEEK 10

Thursday’s results

* Capistrano Valley 44, Trabuco Hills 14

* Dana Hills 28, El Toro 16

Friday’s result

* Mission Viejo 21, San Clemente 7

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Mission Viejo and San Clemente have, along with Dana Hills, been members of the South Coast League since its inception in 1974. Here is a list of number of South Coast titles won by member schools, including co-championships:

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10 Mission Viejo 7 Mater Dei 6 San Clemente 5 Capistrano Valley 3 El Toro 1 Corona del Mar 1 Costa Mesa 1 Irvine 1 Laguna Beach 1 University

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