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Mission Viejo football falls to Centennial in thrilling Division 1 quarterfinal

November 16, 2024

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MISSION VIEJO — A trip to the semifinals and public school bragging rights dangled Friday as the tantalizing rewards for Mission Viejo and Centennial in the CIF-SS Division 1 football quarterfinals.

In a game dubbed the public school “Super Bowl” in California, Centennial’s defense made a superb play late in the fourth quarter to seal a dramatic 25-20 victory at Mission Viejo High.

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In the semifinals next week, the Huskies (9-2) play host to top-ranked Mater Dei, which defeated Sierra Canyon 33-13 in another quarterfinal.

Mission Viejo (10-1) trailed 25-20 as it drove for a go-ahead score late in the fourth. But on fourth-and-goal from the Centennial 2, the Huskies pressured quarterback Draiden Trudeau and lineman Fifita Tauteoli-Moore intercepted the ball with 4:51 left.

Centennial ran out the clock to reach its second straight semifinal in Division 1.

“It was a heck of a game,” Centennial coach Matt Logan said. “Our defense came back and made stands when they had to. They were phenomenal.”

Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson blamed himself for a “poor” play call on fourth-and-goal but praised his team for its season. “We lost some really good seniors,” he said. “We’re still going to go down as one of the top teams in the country.”

No. 5-seeded Centennial led 19-10 at halftime but No. 4 Mission Viejo quickly scored 10 points to take its first lead.

Luke Fahey capped the opening possession of the third quarter with a 47-yard TD pass over the middle to Cash Semonza. After Mission Viejo’s Zachary Foeldi recovered a fumble at the Huskies 26, Caleb Sylvia booted a 22-yaed field goal to give the Diablos a 20-19 lead.

Centennial responded before end of the third period with a 10-yard TD run by quarterback Husan Longstreet as the Huskies took a 25-20 lead into the fourth.

Centennial started fast in the first quarter thanks to a few tackle-busting run by running back Malachi Roby. The junior, who recently returned the Huskies’ lineup, scored on 1-yard run as the Huskies took a 7-0 in the middle of the first period.

Mission Viejo responded with an 89-yard scoring drive late in the first quarter. Hinesward Lilomaiava capped the march with an 8-yard TD run with 2:17 left in the opening frame.

The Diablos appeared to grab the momentum on the ensuing possession as Dijon Lee Jr. recovered a fumble at his 14.

But Centennial’s defense held to give the Huskies a chance to regain the lead. Roby capped the next possession with a 26-yard TD burst up the middle with 7:06 left in the second quarter. Centennial led 13-7 after the PAT missed.

Roby finished the first half with 99 yards on nine carries and had 189 yards overall.

After the Roby’s second TD run, Mission Viejo drove for a 34-yard field goal by Sylvia to trim its deficit to 13-10 before one of the biggest plays of the first half.

On the ensuing kickoff, Lee appeared to catch a surprise, pooch kick along the Mission Viejo sideline. But flags flew and Centennial took possession at the Mission Viejo 45. On the next play, Longstreet tossed a 45-yard TD to a streaking Cory Butler Jr. for a 19-10 lead with 3:10 left the half.

Mission Viejo blocked the PAT but the Huskies seized the momentum.

Mission Viejo and Centennial last clashed in the playoffs in 2022. Mission Viejo defeated Centennial 31-28 in the Division 1 quarterfinals in Corona.

Mission Viejo football falls to Centennial in thrilling Division 1 quarterfinal Orange County Register

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Mission Viejo football falls to Centennial in thrilling Division 1 quarterfinal

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