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  • Mission Viejo's Jordan Garbin, right, sacks Vista Murrieta's Kyle Williams...

    Mission Viejo's Jordan Garbin, right, sacks Vista Murrieta's Kyle Williams during the first half of the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium.

  • Mission Viejo's Rome Innocenzi gets tackled from behind by Vista...

    Mission Viejo's Rome Innocenzi gets tackled from behind by Vista Murrieta's Dwayne Johnson during the first half of the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium.

  • Mission Viejo's Rome Innocenzi runs for Mission Viejo's first touchdown...

    Mission Viejo's Rome Innocenzi runs for Mission Viejo's first touchdown of the game during the first half of the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium.

  • Mission Viejo quarterback Brock Johnson slides safely to a first...

    Mission Viejo quarterback Brock Johnson slides safely to a first down after scrambling out of trouble during the first half of the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium.

  • Brett Johnson and his son, Mission Viejo quarterback Brock Johnson,...

    Brett Johnson and his son, Mission Viejo quarterback Brock Johnson, share a moment after beating Vista Murrieta, 21-10, and winning the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium.

  • Mission Viejo quarterback Brock Johnson (11) celebrates after throwing a...

    Mission Viejo quarterback Brock Johnson (11) celebrates after throwing a touchdown to Mission Viejo's wide receiver Connor Hill (13) during the second half of the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium.

  • Mission Viejo's Patrick Sandal celebrates a touchdown catch by receiver...

    Mission Viejo's Patrick Sandal celebrates a touchdown catch by receiver Connor Hill (13) during the second half of the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium. Mission Viejo beat Vista Murrieta, 21-10.

  • Mission Viejo cornerback Chris Brown breaks up a pass intended...

    Mission Viejo cornerback Chris Brown breaks up a pass intended for Vista Murrieta tight end Jamie Nunley, left, during the second half of the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium.

  • Mission Viejo's football team celebrates winning the CIF-SS West Valley...

    Mission Viejo's football team celebrates winning the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium by having their picture taken. Mission Viejo beat Vista Murrieta, 21-10.

  • Mission Viejo receiver Connor Hill, left, goes in for a...

    Mission Viejo receiver Connor Hill, left, goes in for a touchdown behind the defense of Vista Murrieta's defensive back Brandon Worthy during the second half of the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium.

  • Mission Viejo's Rome Innocenzi, right, gets chased down by three...

    Mission Viejo's Rome Innocenzi, right, gets chased down by three Vista Murrieta players during the second half of the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium.

  • Mission Viejo's wide receiver Connor Hill, left, fights off Vista...

    Mission Viejo's wide receiver Connor Hill, left, fights off Vista Murrieta's linebacker Messiah Tyler to get to the end zone for his first of two touchdown receptions in the victory to win the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium.

  • Mission Viejo defensive end Brandon Sloss, left, and Jordan Garbin,...

    Mission Viejo defensive end Brandon Sloss, left, and Jordan Garbin, rear, combine to force Vista Murrieta's Kyle Williams to fumble during the first half of the CIF-SS West Valley Division championship game at Angel Stadium. The fumble was recovered by Vista Murrieta.

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Dan Albano. Sports HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Staff Mug Shot taken August 26, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER.

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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RELATED:

Miller: Picture-perfect day for Team Johnson

Diablos’ Innocenzi hurting but happy after title run

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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