ANAHEIM – Mission Viejo proved Saturday that there is plenty of satisfaction in finishing the race strong after a rocky start.
The Diablos stormed to their 12th consecutive victory by handling Vista Murrieta, 21-10, to capture the CIF-SS West Valley Division title at Angel Stadium and wipe away the residue of an 0-2 start to the season.
The lasting images were Coach Bob Johnson hoisting his seventh overall CIF trophy, and his first with Mission Viejo since 2004.
The veteran coach sat on the grass in the front row of the team photo afterward and posed for a family picture with his grandson, quarterback Brock Johnson, and his sons, assistant coaches Bret and Rob Johnson.
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It was the most well-rounded effort of the season from Mission Viejo (12-2) that delivered the crown against a Vista Murrieta team (11-3) coming off an upset of top-seeded Upland and a rally over Tesoro.
“We came together as a team, and that’s something you can’t stop – teamwork,” said wide receiver Connor Hill, who caught a pair of touchdown passes from Brock Johnson.
“Coach Mik (Marty Mikkelson), our defensive back coach, came in when we were 0-2 and just said, ‘We’re going to win a championship. We’re going to win.’ We all kind of looked at him crazy, but we took it to heart and knew this is something special.”
Mission Viejo’s performance before 7,344 certainly was special. Running back Rome Innocenzi capped a stellar postseason by rushing for 134 yards and a score. Mission Viejo’s offensive line, led by center Cole Smith, seemed to wear down the Broncos in the second half.
Brock Johnson bounced back from a rough semifinal to complete 9 of 11 passes for 134 yards.
The Diablos’ defense contained quarterback Kyle Williams, holding the speedy junior to 37 yards rushing and 106 passing. Mission Viejo held Vista Murrieta to 160 yards offense, including only 44 rushing.
The Diablos’ Parker Godfrey and Brandon Sloss each had a sack and two tackles for losses.
Vista Murrieta’s trademark special teams were neutralized in part because of Mission Viejo punter Patrick Sandoval’s booming leg.
“It was a really complete game on all sides of the ball, which we have been looking for all season,” Brock Johnson said. “Today, it all seemed to come together. Perfect timing.”
Defensive coordinator Brett Paton said the Diablos played their base defense against Vista Murrieta, which was averaging just over 36 points a game. He said the Diablos’ defense, which allowed only six first downs, simply executed.
“We worked on sealing the edge and not letting him (Williams) outside because he is dangerous when he gets in the open field,” Godfrey said. “Our defensive line really was the reason we won.”
Mission Viejo led, 14-3, at halftime after a late touchdown strike by Brock Johnson to Hill. Johnson found a leaping Hill over the middle for a 36-yard score as Mission Viejo opened an 11-point lead with 1:11 left in the second quarter. Hill kept his balance after the catch near the 15 and narrowly outraced his defender to the end zone.
Johnson’s pass capped a short, 46-yard scoring drive that was set up by Sandoval’s punt and Mission Viejo’s defense. Sandoval blasted a 59-yard punt to pin the Broncos at their 8 with 3:57 left in the second quarter.
Mission Viejo’s defense then limited Vista Murrieta to one first down before a punt. A second-down sack by Sloss helped force the punt.
The Diablos scored first in second half. After seven consecutive run plays, Brock Johnson faked a handoff to Innocenzi and hit Hill for a 28-yard scoring strike. The extra-point by Cory Sibert gave Mission Viejo a commanding 21-3 lead with 3:45 left in the third.
“We just did it with all kinds of weapons,” Bob Johnson said. “You want to fall asleep on us, we’ll put the ball right on the money. The defense was terrific.”
And so was Mission Viejo’s finish.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com