SOUTH COAST LEAGUE : Trabuco Hills Shuts Out Mission Viejo

Defense and special teams sparked Trabuco Hills in its 28-0 South Coast League victory over host Mission Viejo Thursday night.

De Sha Runnels had two of the Mustangs’ three interceptions and scored two touchdowns as Trabuco Hills coasted to a 21-0 halftime lead. Though Trabuco Hills committed three turnovers in the second half, Mission Viejo was unable to cash in any of them.

“I’ve said this is the best defense in the school’s history,” Trabuco Hills Coach Jim Barnett said. “They’ve done it each week. Our offense struggled somewhat in the second half for whatever reason. We went up, 21-0, and then had trouble hanging on to the ball.”

Trabuco Hills (6-2, 2-1 in league) limited the Diablos to 160 yards in offense. Sophomore quarterback Austin Moherman managed 14 completions in 31 attempts for 113 yards.

Things went downhill for Mission Viejo (3-5, 2-1) from the start. Bobby Johnson returned the opening kickoff 52 yards for Trabuco Hills, setting up a two-yard touchdown run by Runnels only 3 minutes 23 seconds into the game for a 7-0 lead.

Johnson scored on a three-yard run late in the first quarter before Runnels added a one-yard touchdown run with 4:29 remaining in the second quarter for a 21-0 lead. Running back Laquent Fobbs caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chad Collins late in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.

Trabuco Hills, which started most of its drives near midfield, wasn’t spectacular on offense, but it had enough, finishing with 253 yards overall, 167 rushing.