Defense Spurs a Diablo Offensive

Mission Viejo’s defense gave the rest of the team a nudge it needed Saturday night in a Southern Section Division II semifinal against Claremont. The Diablos produced a goal-line stand in the first quarter, inspiring the offense to come alive in a 26-7 victory at Mission Viejo.

The Wolfpack had first and goal inside the Mission Viejo one midway through the opening quarter, but the Diablos knocked Claremont backward on the next two plays, then Marques Daily intercepted a pass in the end zone.

That’s as close as Claremont came to scoring the rest of the half, and Mission Viejo scored three touchdowns in eight minutes of the second quarter.

“The offense took our energy from the goal-line stop and transformed it,” defensive lineman Justin Williams said. “Today was a nice show.”

The top-seeded Diablos (13-0) will play second-seeded Newhall Hart in the championship game Saturday at 2 p.m. at Edison Field. Mission Viejo will be trying for its second consecutive undefeated season.

Mission Viejo played without quarterback Josh Rodarmel, who re-injured his shoulder in the first playoff game. But the Diablos have found a worthy replacement in Marty Tadman, normally a wide receiver.

Tadman threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter, then was content handing off to running backs Ryan Holmes and Jamielle Gummer in the second half, throwing just one pass.

Tadman gave the Diablos a 7-0 lead with 8 minutes 22 seconds remaining in the first half, throwing a 48-yard touchdown pass to Clark Hardman.

Claremont (9-4) tried a trick play on its next possession, but a deep pass by running back Jamal Floyd was picked off by Trevor Miller, one of three interceptions by the Diablos.

Mark Dunn’s 30-yard reception put the ball at the Claremont five and Holmes ran it in from the one two plays later. The Diablos got the ball back with 2:50 remaining in the first half and didn’t let up, scoring on a 35-yard pass from Tadman to Taylor Holiday with 27 seconds left.

Mission Viejo moved ahead, 26-0, on a 14-play, 97-yard drive that was capped by Holmes’ three-yard run with 8:23 remaining in the game.