El Dorado rides Deleon past El Toro

MISSION VIEJO Behind a four-touchdown performance from senior running back Devin Deleon, El Dorado took another step toward defending its CIF-SS Southwest Division championship with a 27-9 victory over El Toro in a second-round game Friday night at Trabuco Hills High

The victory, the Golden Hawks' 10th in a row after a season-opening loss to Esperanza, was much like what El Dorado has done all year: get out to a quick lead and let the defense do the rest. El Dorado put up 264 yards in the first two quarters and held the host Chargers (6-6) to just 99.

After forcing a three-and-out on the El Toro initial drive, the Golden Hawks went 44 yards in four plays, Deleon going the final 30 on a delayed draw into the end zone with less than four minutes gone.

El Toro got on the board with a 43-yard Vince D'Amato field goal on the ensuing drive before El Dorado marched 65 yards in six plays, Deleon going the final 48 as part of a 99-yard, four-carry first quarter.

A 48-yard pass from Kane Wilson to Nolan Sheldon closed a first quarter where El Dorado put up 177 of its 356 total yards. It was more Deleon in the second quarter, scoring on a 4-yard run and a 1-yard run set up by a Ryan Cardenas interception.

El Dorado's defense picked off passes from three Chargers quarterbacks. Anthony Laurenzi and Kevin O'Connell also had interceptions for the Golden Hawks defense.

After a scoreless third quarter, El Toro used a Jeff Dunlap interception to set up a 30-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard dive from Jai Morris early in the fourth quarter.

An onside kick on the ensuing kickoff was recovered by Cardenas and El Dorado was able to prevent any El Toro comeback.

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com