After 11 Long Years, Irvine Defeats Diablos

MISSION VIEJO —  More than a decade of frustration came to an end for Irvine High School Friday night when it upended South Coast League power Mission Viejo, 16-13, in the league opener at Mission Viejo High School.

The victory was as sweet as they come for Irvine (5-1); it was its first over the Diablos in 11 years. Mission Viejo, the county’s fifth-ranked team, was considered the overwhelming league favorite just weeks ago.

Jason Minici threw two first-quarter touchdown passes, and Dave Bilek kicked a 46-yard field goal in the third quarter for Irvine. Mission Viejo, the county’s top-ranked team two weeks ago, seemed as if it was still smarting from Thursday’s 42-7 loss to Mater Dei.

But postgame analysis didn’t seem to interest Irvine Coach Terry Henigan.

Henigan--along with about 500 screaming Irvine fans and players--just wanted to celebrate the fact that, finally, Irvine had a victory over at least one of the South Coast League’s perennial Big Three--Mission Viejo, El Toro and Capistrano Valley.

“We’ve been waiting a looooong time for this,” Henigan said. “The last time we beat one of the big three was in 1985 when we beat Capo and we tied Mission. And still, we didn’t get into the playoffs.”

Henigan, pointing to the Irvine players, piling on top of one another in a midfield celebration, said: “As you can see, a lot of kids here are tired of the Bret Johnsons and Rob Johnsons. It’s our time now.”

While Mission Viejo seemed tentative at first, Irvine came ready to play. Mission Viejo running back Deron Drake fumbled on the first play of the game, and Irvine’s Ryan Patterson recovered on the Mission Viejo 20, setting up Minici’s first touchdown pass, a four-yarder to Danny Kang.

The Diablos (4-2) tied the score, 6-6, on their next possession when Drake ran 20 yards into the end zone. Less than three minutes later, however, Minici and running back Scott Seal (22 carries for 113 yards) drove Irvine again into scoring position, and Minici lobbed a 38-yard pass to Aron Garcia in the end zone. With the ensuing kick, the Vaqueros took a 13-6 lead.

Mission Viejo seemed more inspired in the third quarter. The Diablos recovered a fumble on the Irvine 33 and, four plays later, Drake dived in from one yard for the touchdown, tying the score, 13-13. But Bilek’s field goal, with 1:17 to play in the third quarter, gave Irvine all the extra room it needed.

Minici said the victory is the sign of good things to come for the Vaqueros. “This sure is going to be a fun league this year,” he said.

Said Mission Viejo Coach Mike Rush: “We really worked hard this week. We have a young offensive line. We bounced back. We talked about it (the Mater Dei game). We have to go on.”