No Threat to Mission Viejo Streak

Hoping to end Mission Viejo’s winning streak, San Clemente instead became the Diablos’ 36th consecutive victim. And it wasn’t even close.

Mission Viejo, ranked No. 1 in the Southland by The Times and No. 2 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, scored a 49-7 victory over No. 23 San Clemente in which it seized control of a fourth consecutive South Coast League title by beating its main rival.

“There wasn’t a doubt in my mind we were going to win,” said Cole Bergquist, San Clemente’s quarterback who completed eight of 19 passes for 52 yards with one interception and spent most of the night hurried by rushing defenders. He was sacked three times. “I can’t imagine this moment. To play like this is sad.”

The victory gives Mission Viejo the third-longest winning streak in Southern Section history, moving past Los Angeles Loyola, which had its streak ended in 1964 at 35. Still ahead of the Diablos are Canyon Country Canyon, with 46 from 1983 to ‘86, and Temple City, which won 60 from 1969 to ’73.

“We don’t really care about the streak,” said Marty Tadman, a senior receiver and defensive back who provides many of the intangibles that have allowed the Diablos such success. “We wanted this game for the championship and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. That’s what it meant to us.”

Historically, San Clemente is the team to end such winning streaks. The Tritons, on their home field as they were on Friday, ended the 27-game winning streak of Santa Ana Mater Dei in 1995 and the 28-game winning streak of Santa Margarita in 1998.

Mission Viejo (8-0, 3-0 in the league) has won the last two Division II titles, and the Diablos appear primed for a third. San Clemente, after five consecutive victories, dropped to 5-2, 2-1.

Though Mission Viejo scored seven touchdowns, it was the defense that paved the way. It started in the opening minutes. Sure-handed Tadman fumbled the opening kickoff -- only Mission Viejo’s fourth turnover of the season -- to give San Clemente possession at the Diablo 29-yard line. The Tritons ended up punting from the 48.

“When the defense came out and knocked them back 20 yards, that really set the tone for the whole game,” said Tadman, who caught three passes for 121 yards and a 51-yard touchdown from Mark Sanchez that helped the Diablos build a 28-0 halftime lead.

After Mission Viejo’s defense made its impressive first stand, the offense answered with an 80-yard, nine-play drive that ended with Chane Moline’s 14-yard run. Moline, who carried 13 times for 100 yards, later added a five-yard score, and also caught a five-yard scoring pass from Sonny McCracken on a fake field goal.

Mission Viejo, which out-gained San Clemente, 460-212 yards, rushed for 267 yards. Sanchez, who completed nine of 13 passes for 188 yards, had a 20-yard scoring pass to Chase Frazier.