Mission Viejo High’s Jack Matranga, right, gets a hug from teammate Grant Nichols after his five-yard touchdown catch on a fake field-goal attempt in the Southern Section Division 2 championship win over Servite. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Ahead by 13 points late in the first half of Saturday night’s Southern Section Division 2 championship football game, Mission Viejo lined up for a field-goal attempt to tack on three more.
To the surprise of many in the stadium, holder Luke Fahey took the snap and instead of placing the ball down he got to his feet, spun to his right and tossed a pass to wide-open tight end Jack Matranga in the flat for a five-yard touchdown that embodied the Diablos’ aggressive approach throughout their 34-15 victory over Servite.
“We just put that play in this week — our coaches emphasize special teams and that was an ideal time to call it,” said Matranga, who proved his sure-handedness with another grab on a trick play, this one from punter Michael Selgado-Medina, to keep a drive alive in the fourth quarter. “I was nervous because I haven’t caught a pass since my freshman year, but it worked as perfectly as it could. I caught it at the two- or three-yard line and walked in.”
As it has all season, Mission Viejo used two quarterbacks on alternating possessions, and while both were effective, this was Fahey’s night to shine.
He threw three touchdown passes — two to his favorite target and longtime friend Vance Spafford. Fellow junior Draiden Trudeau threw for 57 yards and engineered the Diablos’ other two scoring drives, which ended on runs by Davonte Curtis and Hinesward Lilomaiava.
Mission Viejo running back Davonte Curtis celebrates his four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the Southern Section Division 2 championship game victory over Servite on Saturday night….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mission-viejo-tops-servite-southern-072639525.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2023-11-26 07:26:39
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