MISSION VIEJO – Capistrano Valley opened the gates on its season and let its physicality run loose on Long Beach Jordan on Friday.
The Cougars collected nine sacks on defense and senior running back Tyler Waggoner ran for four touchdowns and 144 yards in a 34-7 victory at Capistrano Valley High.
Capo Valley got a sack on its opening play and didn’t look back as the Cougars defensive front seven hounded Long Beach Jordan all night. Outside linebacker Dutch Durham had two sacks and fellow seniors defensive tackle Alex Bale and linebackers Steven Hurley and Austin Haubenschild each had a sack as did sophomore defensive lineman Carson Bilt.
The Cougars won the turnover battle as senior cornerback Brock Ricci recovered a fumble in the second quarter and sophomore outside linebacker Justin Burk had an interception in the third quarter.
Long Beach Jordan was able to gain only 42 yards in the first half, including 17 rushing, against the Cougars’ continuous pressure. Jordan finished with 96 total yards and scored its lone TD late in the game.
Things started a little slower on offense for Capo Valley with a lengthy first drive ending in a missed field goal. But a 33-yard punt return by Adam Jackson put the Cougars on the 1-yard line and set up the Waggoner locomotive.
After scoring on a 1-yard run, Waggoner spun off a pile at the line on the next series and broke free for a 26-yard TD and a 13-0 Cougars lead. Waggoner also got loose on Capo Valley’s next possession for a 34-yard touchdown run and capped his night with an 8-yard TD run in the third.
Waggoner had 15 carries for 144 yards.
Junior quarterback Kevin Brown threw the Cougars’ only passing touchdown midway through the third quarter on a 22-yard strike to senior Mitchell Nickovich. Brown finished 10 of 23 passing for 105 yards.
