Mission Viejo quarterback Draiden Trudeau (10) holds up the CIF-SS Division 2 championship plaque as he celebrates with teammates in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Mission Viejo tackle Mark Schroller holds the CIF-SS Division 2 championship plaque high as he celebrates with teammates in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Jake Hurst, left, has Servite’s Aidan O’Callaghan beat but can’t hang on to the pass in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo quarterback Luke Fahey is stopped by Servite cornerback Tristin Ordaz as he takes the ball down to the one-yard line to set up another Diablos score against Servite in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Servite running back Quaid Carr falls over the goal line for a touchdown against Mission Viejo in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo cornerback Dijon Lee Jr., right, jumps in front of Servite wide receiver Devan Parker to intercept a pass in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Servite quarterback Leo Hannan, center, is sacked by Mission Viejo’s Travis Anderson, right, in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo running back Hinesward Lilomaiava, left, gets around Servite strong safety Beau Jako as he turns the corner for a big gain in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson is doused with ice water by Mission Viejo center Ryan Karby as the Diablos win the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship against Servite in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo wide receiver Vance Spafford pulls in a pass and takes it in for a touchdown against Servite in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo running back Hinesward Lilomaiava keeps Servite cornerback Jaden Welch away as he gains yardage in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Servite quarterback Leo Hannan pushes down Mission Viejo cornerback Jeron Jones as he turns the corner on a keeper in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo quarterback Draiden Trudeau (10) holds up the CIF-SS Division 2 championship plaque as he celebrates with teammates in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo wide receiver Vance Spafford makes the catch and takes it in for a touchdown against Servite in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
The Mission Viejo team takes the field before the start of the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship game against Servite in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Servite quarterback Leo Hannan throws a pass against Mater Dei in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo middle linebacker Jack Matranga celebrates with the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship plaque with teammates in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo wide receiver Vance Spafford, right, celebrates his touchdown against Servite with wide receiver Cash Semonza in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo middle linebacker Jack Matranga, left, celebrates with defensive end JD Hill after taking a pass catch into the end zone for a touchdown against Servite in the CIF-SS Division 2 football championship in Mission Viejo on Saturday, November 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
MISSION VIEJO — Mission Viejo and Servite each carried comeback stories into Saturday’s CIF-SS Division 2 championship football game.
Only one could complete the narrative as the titleholder.
A swarming defense and well-executed trick play helped the Diablos confidently extend their late-season surge.
Mission Viejo slowed sizzling running back Quaid Carr and scored on a fake field goal en route to a 34-15 victory before an overflow crowd at Mission Viejo High that seemed well beyond the reported 6,800 in attendance.
Sophomore quarterback Luke Fahey added three touchdown passes, including two to sophomore wide receiver Vance Spafford.
The Diablos (11-3) claimed their first section title since 2015 after finishing second to rival San Clemente in the South Coast League. The loss to the Tritons on Oct. 13 dropped Mission Viejo into Division 2 for the first time since 2015 and supplied a much-needed wake-up call for the team, Diablos coach Chad Johnson said.
Mission Viejo’s latest response was a dominating effort against Trinity League member Servite (8-6) for its eighth section title.
“It feels good just the way we battled back,” Mission Viejo linebacker Jack Matranga said. “(At) Mission Viejo, it’s all about the brothers. After the San Clemente game, we kind of had a real, heart-to-heart look at yourself in the mirror talk and know we’re good enough to get this done.”
Mission Viejo’s story isn’t over yet. The Diablos advance to next week’s CIF SoCal Regional playoffs with a chance to earn a spot in the state finals. The regional schedule will be announced Sunday.
The Diablos opened a 20-0 lead at intermission after scoring on a fake field goal with 4.4 seconds left in the second quarter.
Mission Viejo set up for a 21-yard field goal by Michael Salgado-Medina but the holder — Fahey — tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Matranga, a senior who was playing tight end in the formation.
“We saw on film that those guys are super-aggressive on special teams,” Johnson said of the play. “And we saw that their aggressiveness leaves people uncovered.”
The trickery capped a stellar opening half by Mission Viejo.
The Diablos held Carr to 27 yards on 11 carries, setting the tone for their effort.
Mission Viejo also recorded four first-half sacks from a group that included Travis Anderson, Jackson Hamby, JD HIll and Titus Miller.
The Diablos kept the pressure on by opening the second half with an 80-yard scoring drive. Hinesward Lilomaiava capped the march with a 2-yard run for an eye-popping 27-0 lead.
Mission Viejo’s defense intercepted two passes in the second half, including one by junior cornerback Dijon Lee Jr. early in the fourth quarter. Fahey capitalized with a 90-yard touchdown strike to Spafford for a 34-7 lead.
The Diablos scored first with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Fahey to Spafford to a take a 6-0 lead.
Servite snapped the shutout late in the third quarter on a 5-yard TD run Carr. The junior entered the finals with six consecutive 100-yard rushing games but Mission Viejo held him to 55 yards on 15 carries.
Johnson, who earned his first title in his sixth season at Mission Viejo, praised defensive coordinator Brett Paton for the defense playing well.
“It’s so special having him on my staff and the job he did tonight with the defense,” Johnson said of Patton, his former coach at El Toro.
Mission Viejo’s defense shifted formations and also received an interception from Jeron Jones and two pass defenses by Trey Tolmaire.
The Friars reached the final by rebounding from a 1-9 finish last season.
The nine-loss campaign was the worst in school history and marked the final season for Coach Troy Thomas. The Friars turned to alumnus Chris Reinert to navigate its comeback.
“Good season … not great,” coach Reinert said. “You got to finish the job. We were better than we performed tonight. It starts with me.”
Tight end Aidan O’Callaghan was a bright spot for Servite with eight catches for 110 yards.
