MISSION VIEJO – As if it weren’t appealing enough already, the South Coast League race just got that much more interesting Friday night.
With Mission Viejo, San Juan Hills and Tesoro all ranked in the county’s most recent top-10 poll, it was unranked El Toro who made the greatest impression of the group in its final preseason contest.
Junior quarterback Dawit Wilson threw for 306 yards and four scores, JShoun Wolfe accounted for three touchdowns and the defense pitched its first shutout of the season in a 44-0 blowout over host Capistrano Valley.
Since starting the year 0-2, El Toro closed the nonleague portion of its schedule with four straight wins, none more impressive than Friday’s showing.
“They earned a lot of respect today,” Chargers coach Mike Mayoral said of his squad. “I’m just happy because they work so hard. It’s a good ‘W’ for them.”
After holding its previous three opponents to a collective 24 points, El Toro’s 3-3-5 defense overwhelmed the Cougars (4-2) up-tempo attack with its physicality up front. Capo quarterback Kevin Brown was sacked seven times and intercepted twice, and Tyler Waggoner was limited to 22 yards on 14 carries.
“I feel we have one of the best defenses in Orange County,” Wolfe said. “The secondary is good. We’ve got two All-CIF linebackers in AJ Aguilar and Dillon Sherman, and the D-line does a great job of getting to the quarterback.”
Defensive end Blake Morentin had with two sacks and an additional pair of tackles for loss, and Trevor Dodds added two sacks and blocked a Capo Valley field-goal attempt in the second quarter that Wolfe returned 70 yards for a score.
“People are definitely thinking we’re the underdogs, especially in our league,” Dodds said. “It’s really motivating us. We’re respecting everybody, but we’re not fearing anyone.”
The offense turned in an equally impressive performance. Wilson’s four touchdown passes came from 34, 45, 65 and 57 yards out. Wolfe caught two scores and finished with 140 yards receiving, and Colin Kentros had 103 yards and a score.
“Being under the radar is fine, it just makes us hungrier to get the ‘W’,” Wilson said. “We’re looking forward to Tesoro next week. Going to shock the league.”
The Chargers outgained the Cougars, 227-4, in the first quarter and held a 17-0 lead headed into the second. Wolfe’s 65-yard touchdown reception and blocked kick return extended the lead to 31-0, then Brandon Piovan added a 90-yard interception return for a score before halftime.
“We’re going to see two of the best quarterbacks in California the next two weeks,” Mayoral said, referring to Tesoro’s Devon Modster and San Juan Hills’ Patrick O’Brien. “So we got our work cut out for us, that’s for sure.”
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
