Diablos Go 10-0, Top Los Alamitos to End Perfect Regular Season (2024)

Mission Viejo – Diablo Stadium

Mission Viejo closed its regular season with another statement 40-14 victory over Los Alamitos on Friday night at Diablo Stadium, finishing at 10-0 overall and 3-0 in Alpha League. As they look ahead to a Division 1 playoff spot, the Diablos showed the depth and strength that made them an unstoppable force all season.

The game opened with a bang as Alabama commit Dijon Lee returned the kickoff 89 yards for a Mission Viejo touchdown. The Diablos quickly built on this with an 80-yard drive ending in a 1-yard score by Hinesward Lilomaiava, bringing them to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. Though Los Alamitos responded with a promising drive, capped by a 6-yard touchdown from running back Lenny Ibarra after a fumble recovery by linebacker Jackson Renger, Mission Viejo’s offense surged again. Quarterback Luke Fahey hit Phillip Bell and Grand Nichols for touchdowns, stretching the halftime lead to 27-7.

Los Alamitos, battling through setbacks, kept their focus, with sophomore quarterback Wyatt Nucci stepping in for Alonzo Esparza in the third quarter and throwing a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Tron Baker. But Mission Viejo’s relentless pace held, and Fahey, who finished with 317 passing yards, added a 7-yard touchdown to Cash Semonza and a 28-yard scoring run in the final quarter, sealing the 40-14 win.

The Griffins, now 5-5, ended Alpha League play with a 1-2 record. Edison’s victory over San Clemente in a three-way league tiebreaker secured the league’s final guaranteed playoff seat. Los Alamitos will now prepare for Leuzinger for their first hurdle in playoffs, while Mission Viejo sets up for their playoff journey with a bye.