Capo Valley hangs on to defeat Aliso Niguel

ALISO VIEJO — Down three points with less than two minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Aliso Niguel overcame multiple penalties, drove 49 yards and put itself in position to the tie the score against Capistrano Valley on Friday night.

However, Jake Wilson had a 44-yard field goal blocked, and that allowed Capistrano Valley to secure a 28-25 victory in a South Coast league game at Aliso Niguel High.

Capistrano Valley fed the ball to senior running back Clay Guess early and often.

He had 126 yards at the half and led all rushers in the game with 304 yards on 33 carries.

However, the Cougars were forced to play a large portion of the fourth quarter without him.

He was ejected from the game after he was penalized for a personal foul for allegedly punched a member of the opposing team, Capistrano Valley coach Chi Chi Biehn said.

Down 21-7 on their first possession of the second half, the Wolverines (2-5, 0-2) battled their way back from a rough start.

They scored 18 consecutive points and briefly took a 25-21 lead in the fourth quarter, but Capistrano Valley (4-3, 1-1) proved too strong on offense.

Even without its star player, Capistrano Valley managed to capitalize on an Aliso Niguel three-and-out late in the fourth quarter.

Running back Jonathon Mullins capped an impressive drive with a 6-yard go-ahead touchdown that put Capistrano Valley up for good.