Mission Viejo falls, 35-7, to New Jersey’s Don Bosco Prep

It was expected to be a tough challenge for Mission Viejo: traveling to Ramsey, N.J., to play Don Bosco Prep, the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, on Saturday night. And the Diablos struggled on offense in a 35-7 loss.

Quarterback Alex Bridgford was intercepted four times and sacked six times. The Diablos (1-1) fell behind, 14-0, at halftime, then gave up two touchdowns in the third quarter to fall behind, 28-0.

Bridgford’s five-yard TD pass to Max Redfield in the fourth quarter was Mission Viejo’s only score.

Running backs John Wilkins and Jabrill Peppers each scored two touchdowns for a Don Bosco team that has won 36 consecutive games and returned nine starters on defense from last season’s 12-0 club.

— Eric Sondheimer