Irvine Clamps Down on Mayfair

Irvine’s defense made sure it did not need a late field goal to defeat Lakewood Mayfair in the second round of the Southern Section Division VI playoffs this year.

The second-seeded Vaqueros held Mayfair to 206 yards in a 16-0 victory Friday night before about 2,000 at Bellflower High School.

Seeking a second consecutive appearance in the final, Irvine (12-0) will play third-seeded Tustin in the semifinals Friday at a site to be determined.

In the second round last season, Irvine defeated Mayfair, 9-7, on a field goal with 3:50 remaining. The winning kick came one play after Irvine missed a 52-yard field goal but was given a second chance when Mayfair was penalized for having 12 players on the field, a penalty Mayfair coaches still dispute.

“I didn’t think last year was controversial,” Irvine Coach Terry Henigan said. “I thought the best team won last year.”

In the rematch, Irvine’s stunting and blitzing took Mayfair out of offensive rhythm. Irvine sacked Mayfair quarterback Drew Gonzales four times and knocked him to the ground after many other passes. When he did have time to throw, Gonzales completed 12 of 28 for 108 yards but did not have a completion of more than 12 yards. The Monsoons’ biggest play was a 31-yard run up the middle by fullback Allen Kennett.

“Our defense has done it all year,” Henigan said. “They just wreck guys.”

Tailback Peter Abe accounted for most of the Vaqueros’ offense, rushing for 114 yards in 11 carries.

Abe ran off left tackle for an 80-yard touchdown run with 11:46 remaining in the second quarter for Irvine’s first touchdown. The extra point was blocked and the Vaqueros led, 6-0.

Later in the quarter, Joe Bollard had a 29-yard punt return to give Irvine a first down at the Mayfair 41-yard line. Travis Otott completed a 29-yard pass to Godrey Young three plays later to the Mayfair 6, but the drive stalled and the Vaqueros settled for a 25-yard field goal by Dave Doomey with seven seconds left in the first half.

Abe returned the second-half kickoff 69 yards to the Mayfair 19 and five plays later Young plunged over from the 1 to give Irvine a 16-0 lead.