Mission Viejo beats Granite Hills 49-21, advances to CIF State D1-AA title game: 4 takeaways
MISSION VIEJO, CALIFORNIA— Despite having last week off following their win in the San Diego Section Open Division title game, Granite Hills started fast on Friday night. The Eagles scored touchdowns on two of their first three possessions to lead 14-0 after the first quarter.
Mission Viejo, the Southern Section Division 2 champions, scored their first touchdown on the opening play of the second quarter and added two more touchdowns before halftime on their way to a 49-21 win in the Southern California D1-AA regional bowl game.
The Diablos will make the short trip south to Saddleback College next week to take on De La Salle in the D1-AA CIF State championship game.
Below are four takeaways from Friday's game.
MISSION VIEJO OWNS SECOND QUARTER AND BEYOND
Mission Viejo junior running back Hinesward Lilomaiava displayed his tough running ability on the first play of the second quarter, scoring from five yards out to get the Diablos on the scoreboard.
"We got punched and we let them know that we punch back so that was nice," Lilomaiava said.
Sophomore wide receiver Vance Spafford reeled in a wide open 33-yard touchdown, his 21st of the season, less than three minutes later to even the game at 14.
Following the second of three punts for Granite Hills during the second quarter, Lilomaiava scored from two yards out, a touchdown that would put Mission Viejo ahead for good.
DIABLOS DIAL UP PRESSURE
Trailing 21-14 to open the second half, Granite Hills was able to force Mission Viejo into an immediate punt to keep their hopes alive. With the ball at the 37-yard line, Mission Viejo's defense made their biggest play of the night when sophomore defensive back Jeron Jones grabbed his fifth interception of the season and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown.
Granite Hills would see their fake punt attempt get stuffed short on their next drive. The Eagles were able to force a fumble to get back possession but gave the ball right back to the Diablos on a sack-fumble against a defense that was now unleashed.
“We have phenomenal guys all over the field and I think we have the best secondary in Orange County," Lilomaiava said. "Those guys do a great job of taking the ball away.”
Granite Hills freshman quarterback Zach Benitez, who entered having thrown two interceptions all season, tossed his second of the night during the Eagles first possession of the fourth quarter. It was originally returned for a touchdown by Travis Anderson but was called back, leading to Mission Viejo's seventh consecutive touchdown.
CALIFORNIA'S LONGEST WINNING STREAK ENDS
Granite Hills ended the 2022 season on a nine-game winning streak that included the San Diego Section Division 2 title as well as the CIF State D2-AA title. The Eagles entered the 2023 season with high expectations but were widely regarded as the third best team in the San Diego Section behind Lincoln and Carlsbad.
When it came time for the Eagles to get their shot against the Lancers and Hornets, they went to work. First, Granite Hills beat previously unbeaten Carlsbad in overtime in the Open Division semifinal round and then took down Lincoln 27-26 in an epic title game a week later. The win over Lincoln snapped the Hornets 23-game winning streak which had been the state’s longest at the time and put Granite Hills atop the list.
“It sucks,” Granite Hills junior running back Pablo Jackson said. “I’ll get to see them at school but it’s the last time I’ll get to see them on the field. Just heartbreaking man, we’ll never get these moments again.”
Jackson is one of several key skill players that will return for Granite Hills after having added important postseason experience the past two seasons.
GRANITE HILLS CAN'T ADD TO QUICK START
During Granite Hills’ 21-game winning streak over the past two seasons, the Eagles have shown the ability to play without fear. Their streak included four overtime games including last season’s state title victory over San Ramon Valley. The Eagles showed that at the start of Friday’s game, running a halfback pass that went for 34 yards on their first snap of the night.
They went on to convert two fourth downs on that opening drive that concluded with a five-yard touchdown run by Maxwell Turner. Two possessions later, the Eagles converted on fourth down again, capitalizing with a Pablo Jackson one-yard rushing touchdown.
By the time the first quarter had wrapped up, Mission Viejo was on the move and ready to shut down the upset-minded Eagles.
