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MISSION VIEJO — The early, summer results from Mission Viejo’s football team certainly looked promising at its South County passing and linemen tournament Saturday.
The Diablos capped a dominant performance in the linemen competition by powering through the tug-of-war. Later in the afternoon, they handed Mater Dei its first loss in 7-on-7 this offseason by posting a 21-7 victory in the championship game at Mission Viejo High.
And if that wasn’t enough, the Diablos played without their top-two wide receivers, Vance Spafford and Phillip Bell.
“Our linemen did great in the linemen (competition). Our skill won it,” Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson said. “Generally, when you have a good line and good skill, you’re going to be a good team. Can we compete with (teams like St. John) Bosco and Mater Dei? We’ll see. We got a long way to go before the first game.”
Mission Viejo leaned on the quarterback combination of Draiden Trudeau and Luke Fahey, depth at wide receiver and a new-look defense to beat Mater Dei.
Senior wide receiver Cash Semonza caught two short touchdowns and running back William Taylor added another.
Semonza’s performance arrived with Spafford in Florida for Under Armour’s Future 50 event and Bell out for personal reasons, Johnson said.
“The guy who had the best day on offense was Cash Semonza,” Johnson said of the brother of former Mission Viejo QB Kadin Semonza, now at Ball State.
Fahey, a junior, sparked Mission Viejo’s first score with a long completion to sophomore Max Markofski, a 6-foot-4 sophomore coming off a strong track season.
🎯@DashBeierly pic.twitter.com/xd4ND01wgA
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) June 29, 2024
After Mission Viejo opened a 21-7 lead on Taylor’s score, recently committed Alabama cornerback Dijon Lee Jr. helped seal the victory with an interception. The senior also impressed at wide receiver for the Diablos.
“He’s a five-star (recruit) and we’re going to ride that five-star,” Johnson said of Lee. “He’s finally matured to a leader and he’s doing everything right.”
Mission Viejo’s defense, coordinated by former offensive coordinator Ryan Koh, featured junior Jeron Jones at corner opposite of Lee. The Diablos also received contributions from newcomers such as nickel Brock deFries, linebacker Brady Bowman and safety Ryder Brown.
Bowman is a transfer from Mater Dei.
Mater Dei quarterback Dash Beierly, a Washington commit, threw a long touchdown to Gavin Honore to knot the score 7-7 early against Mission Viejo.
“I’m ready to stop playing this phony football and let’s get to the real fall games,” said Monarchs first-year coach Raul Lara, whose team played without wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (Future 50). “I’m proud of my guys. We played three (passing) tournaments and this was our first loss.”
Mission Viejo defeated Murrieta Valley in the finals of the tug-of-war. The Diablos’ team was anchored by guard Sonny Pa’u and featured left tackle Joshua Bates and defensive end Jaden Williams (San Diego State commit) among others.
#AndStill @missionfootball pic.twitter.com/bOCD9XtnCJ
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) June 29, 2024
“It’s just great team bonding,” Mission Viejo center Gavin Disbro said of the tug-of-war.
Mission Viejo will look to continue its winning ways at Edison passing tournament July 13.
The Diablos won CIF-SS Division 2 and CIF State Division 1-AA titles last season.
“I’m feel excited for the season coming up knowing that we have the dudes to do it again,” Fahey said.
In the quarterfinals, tempers flared between Upland and Damien in the postgame handshake and both schools were ejected by the officials from the tournament, Johnson said.
