DANA POINT – Behind a strong performance from its offensive line, San Juan Hills used a solid rushing attack to secure a 35-21 victory over Dana Hills in a South Coast League game Thursday at Dana Hills High.
Quarterback Patrick O’Brien scored three touchdowns and running back Mike Miscione added two second-half scores as the Stallions kept their playoff hopes alive with the win.
Despite dominating time of possession, the Stallions still tried to run a quick offense in the first half.
“It was wierd, we had a ball-control, no-huddle (offense),” Stallions coach Aaron Flowers said. “We told our offensive line they needed to play well and they met that challenge. It was a good night up front.”
Coupled with El Toro’s loss to Mission Viejo on Thursday night, the Stallions (4-5, 1-2) now need a win over Tesoro and a Dana Hills victory over El Toro for a chance at the playoffs.
Jack Montgomery kicked off the scoring with a 27-yard field goal on the Stallions’ first possession.
Later in the first quarter, O’Brien capped a 15-play, 76 yard drive with an 8-yard score.
Corey Selenski put Dana Hills (1-8, 0-3) on the board with a 3-yard touchdown run, which was set up when a muffed punt was recovered by the Dolphins at the San Juan Hills 14.
O’Brien’s touchdown runs of 22 and 8 yards extended the San Juan Hills lead to 22-7, but Connor McCloud gave the Dolphins a spark with a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown to cut the lead to 22-14 in the third quarter.
Touchdown runs of 4 and 1 yards by Miscione helped San Juan Hills pull away.
Miscione led the Stallions with 122 rushing yards and two scores on 28 carries.
Dana Hills quarterback Cole Wilber hit Ray Moslehi for a 13-yard touchdown with 48 seconds remaining. The Dolphins recovered the onside kick, but Wilber’s fourth pass attempt was intercepted by Guillermo Mingramm.
Contact the writer: npercy@ocregister.com
