Stunning setback for No. 2 Mission Viejo

REDLANDS - Mission Viejo's mistakes didn't cost them a victory Friday night — the timing of them did.

An offsides penalty and a muffed punt gave Redlands East Valley the opening it needed to escape with a 10-7 victory over the No. 2 Diablos at the University of Redlands in the final nonleague game of the season.

"This win puts us on the football map," said Wildcats coach Kurt Bruich, whose team improved to 5-0. "We've been 'IE (Inland Empire) good' for some time, but now we're finally on the map.

"I mean, we just beat Mission Viejo. This puts a huge target on our back."

OCVarsity Hot Shots: Friday's game action

OCVarsity Fandemonium from Friday's games

REV quarterback Austin Decoud had 125 total yards of offense as the Wildcats downed Mission Viejo without scoring an offensive touchdown.

The Diablos (4-2) failed to score from inside REV's 10-yard line on two separate occasions, leaving valuable points on the field in such a closely played game.

When a second-quarter Wildcats drive stalled near midfield, the Diablos jumped offsides on fourth-and-1, extending a drive that ultimately resulted in a 21-yard field goal.

An empty REV drive forced the Wildcats to punt on the following possession.

As the ensuing punt bounced through Diablos territory, the ball touched a Mission Viejo player and continued its path to the end zone. A gang of Wildcats fell on the ball, which ended up in the end zone, and Tanner Shreve recovered it for a touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, the Diablos threatened with a first-and-goal from the 6-yard line.

Hunter Remington gained 4 yards on first down, then 1 on second down, setting up a third-and-goal from the 1.

The Wildcats stuffed Remington on the ensuing run, and Mission Viejo tried for six once more.

The fifth consecutive run of the drive was stuffed again and the Diablos turned the ball over on downs with nothing to show for a 23-play drive.

Mission Viejo got the ball back with just over six minutes remaining, however, and Remington cut the deficit to three with a 3-yard touchdown run.

Mission Viejo forced a second consecutive three-and-out and regained possession with just under three minutes remaining.

Yet, with his team in Wildcats territory, Alex Bridgford threw his second interception of the game.

After a third three-and-out by REV, the Diablos had yet another opportunity to take the lead.

Faced with fourth-and-9 at midfield, Bridgford connected with Max Redfield for 23 yards, spotting the ball at the 27 with two seconds remaining.

Instead of attempting a 44-yard field goal, Bridgford threw a jump ball in the corner of the end zone that was batted down by a slew of Wildcats.

"Did you see how long it was gonna be?" Mission Viejo coach Bob Johnson said. "There was no way we were going to do that."