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Mission Viejo football beats Oaks Christian with big plays from defense, special teams

November 11, 2023

Jeron Jones (24) of Mission Viejo breaks up a pass intended for Chase Farrell (2) of Oaks Christian in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, November 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jeron Jones (24) of Mission Viejo raises one finger as he runs for a touchdown after intercepting a pass in a game against Oaks Christian in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, November 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Hinesward Lilomaiava (5) of Mission Viejo pushes through the Oaks Christian defense across the goal line for a touchdown in the second quarter in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, November 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mission Viejo’s Jeron Jones (24) and Jonavan Asuncion celebrate after Jones intercepted a pass for a touchdown in a game against Oaks Christian in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, November 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Prince Williams (6) of Oaks Christian breaks up a pass to Dijon Lee, Jr. of Misson Viejo in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, November 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Oaks Christian quarterback Nate Bennett (8) is tackled in the end zone for a safety by Jaden Williams (9) of Mission Viejo in the second quarter in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, November 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Oaks Christian quaterback Nate Bennett (8) gets off a pass under the pressure of the Mission Viejo defense in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, November 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Vance Spafford (13) of Mission Viejo is tackled by Evan Fanner (50) of Oaks Christian after Spafford caught a pass for 20-yard gain in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo on Friday, November 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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MISSION VIEJO — Defense and special teams led Mission Viejo to a 39-14 win over Oaks Christian Friday in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 football playoffs at Mission Viejo High.

Mission Viejo (9-3) will play on the road against Murrieta Valley in the semifinals next Friday, Nov. 17.

The Diablos most recently reached the semifinals last season when they lost to St. John Bosco in the Division 1 playoffs. The last time Mission Viejo was in the Division 2 playoffs, it won the CIF championship in 2015.

Oaks Christian (9-3) was the Marmonte League champion this season and beat Chaparral in the first round.

Mission Viejo had a blocked field goal, a big kick return, five sacks and three interceptions. The blocked field goal by Vance Spafford early in the game ignited the Diablos and the home crowd.

“We just felt like special teams this week was an area where we could make plays so we focused in on it,” Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson said. “I knew the defense wasn’t happy with last week’s performance so I knew they were going to get after it tonight.”

Jaden Williams, who entered the game fourth in Orange County in sacks with 10.5, had three Friday for the Diablos. Jonovan Asuncion and Jack Matranga also had multiple tackles for a loss.

“We prepared well and without my teammates I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did,” Williams said.

Oaks Christian quarterback Nate Bennett (Baylor commit) wrapped his high school career by throwing for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Stanford commit Chase Farrell had 128 yards on seven receptions with a touchdown.

Hinesward Lilomaiava ran for 76 yards and three touchdowns for the Diablos.

Mission Viejo scored first on a 2-yard touchdown run by Lilomaiva for a 7-0 lead. The touchdown was set up by a blocked field goal by Spafford, which Zachary Foeldi returned 70 yards.

“I’ve been working for a block all year,” Spafford said. “I got through the gap so fast and blocked it. It’s probably the highlight of my career so far.”

Oaks Christian was called for an intentional grounding in the end zone, which resulted in a safety to give the Diablos a 9-0 lead in the second quarter.

On the ensuing Mission Viejo possession, Arizona commit Michael Salgado-Medina made a 52-yard field goal to extend the lead to 12-0.

The Lions answered with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Bennett to Stevie Amar Jr. to make the score 12-6.

Lilomaiva ran for a 6-yard touchdown late in the second quarter and Jeron Jones returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown to give Mission Viejo a 25-6 lead at halftime.

The third sack from Williams set up a 9-yard touchdown run by Lilomaiva. Davonte Curtis also ran for a touchdown for Mission Viejo in the third quarter.

Devin Tate threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Farrell in the fourth quarter for the Lions.

Prince Williams had an interception for Oaks Christian on the game’s opening drive.

Boise State commit Treyvon Tolmaire had two interceptions in the fourth quarter for the Diablos.

Mission Viejo’s semifinal opponent, Murrieta Valley, beat San Clemente earlier this season, and the Tritons beat the Diablos for the South Coast League championship in October.

“This bracket is awesome,” Johnson said. “Us playing Murrieta Valley guarantees that a public school will play for a CIF championship and hopefully it will be us.”

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Orange County Register

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Mission Viejo football beats Oaks Christian with big plays from defense, special teams

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