No. 1 Edison works OT to beat Mater Dei

SANTA ANA - Edison quarterback Matt Viles said he made too many mistakes, but his performance was the main reason the Chargers were able to protect their No. 1 ranking in Orange County.

Viles, entered the game having thrown just one interception in his first four games. He threw three in Thursday's nonleague game against No. 7 Mater Dei, but it was one of his scrambles that led Edison (5-0) to a 36-29 double overtime road victory over Mater Dei (3-2) at Santa Ana Stadium.

After a scoreless first overtime period, the Chargers took possession first in the second overtime. Viles led the offense to the 7-yard line where Edison faced a third-and-2. Viles took the snap, and on a delayed draw, he ran into the end zone for what turned out to be winning score.

"We called a QB draw," Viles said. "We got the win, that's all that matters."

The Edison defense eventually sealed the victory when Mater Dei running back Jordan Allen was stopped on a fourth-and-1 from the 5.

"It seemed like they were always in good field position and we were in bad field position," Edison coach Dave White said. "We had stupid penalties and turnovers, and we still won the game, so I guess that shows that we're not a bad team.

"This does show some character. We have some seniors that have played lot of football and had a tough end of the year last year. We didn't play well enough to win, but we found a way to win."

Both teams failed to score in the first overtime period. Mater Dei took possession first, but it eventually had to settle for a 44-yard field goal attempt that was missed.

Edison's drive ended when Viles was intercepted by Matthew Billeci in the end zone.

Edison led 29-26 with 7:49 left in the game. Mater Dei kick Zac Chocek tied the game at 29-29 with a 23-yard field goal. He had a chance to win the game in regulation with 1:17 left, but his attempt from 27 yards was blocked.

"We knew that we were still in the game," Viles said. "We didn't play well, but we just had to hang in there. Mater Dei's defense played great."

Edison trailed 26-14 early in the third quarter, but it responded with two consecutive touchdowns, a 1-yard run by Wade Houston in the third quarter and an 8-yard pass from Viles to Dylan Leener, followed by a successful 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

For the Monarchs, the game came down to a number of missed opportunities. The offense had to settle for field goal attempts on five drives in the seconds, leaving the door open for the Edison offense.

"There are points left that should be up there," Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson said. "They did everything that I asked them to do, but we're still getting in our way a little bit, but I think they're starting to believe now what they're capable of."