Diablos gain tie in final second

SAN CLEMENTE With a half-second on the clock, San Clemente was ready to party like it was 1999. 

Instead Nathan Casey's 40-yard field goal launched a Diablos' celebration. 

His clutch kick earned No. 5 Mission Viejo a tie with San Clemente, 31-31, in a South Coast League game Friday night at San Clemente High.

"I'm not a guy who loves ties," Diablos coach Bob Johnson said. 

"But I love this tie." 

The Tritons (4-2-1, 0-1-1) were chasing their first victory against Mission Viejo since 1999 and led, 31-28, with a 1:19 left. 

Mission Viejo (4-2-1, 1-0-1) started its drive on its 27 and gained two quick first downs on its first two plays.

The Diablos twice converted third downs of 15 yards or more, eventually moving the ball to San Clemente's 22 with 7.2 seconds left. 

Quarterback Allan Bridgford's pass was incomplete in the end zone, but 0.5 showed on the clock and Casey came on. 

His kick was good. 

It was an uphill struggle for the Diablos the whole way. They never led and trailed, 31-14, entering the fourth quarter. 

Alex Mascarenas caught a 16-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 31-21 with nine minutes to play. 

After a Tritons fumble inside the Diablos' 20, Mission Viejo again drove inside the red zone. 

On first and goal, Warren Reulandcaught a 9-yard pass that was ruled a touchdown. Cox/3 monitors on the San Clemente sideline appeared to show the ball hitting the ground.

"It was ruled a catch on the field," Reuland said. "I'm not saying I dropped it, but the refs called a touchdown. That's all that matters." 

In either case, it's possible the Diablos still would have scored since it was first down. Reuland's score made it 31-28 with 2:49 left in the fourth. 

Mission Viejo couldn't recover the onside kick, giving the Tritons the ball on their 48.

The Tritons failed to gain a first down and punted, giving the Diablos the ball at the 27.  The Tritons seemed destined to pull off the upset when Dwayne Caudle rumbled in from 35 yards to expand the lead to 31-14 with two minutes left in the third. 

The Diablos also trailed, 14-0, after the first quarter. They responded with two touchdowns in the final nine minutes of the first half. 

Mission Viejo hasn't lost a league game since the Tritons beat them in '99.

Contact the writer: ctobolski@ocregiter.com