Mission Viejo vs. San Clemente Preview: Players to Watch

Over the past 10 years or so, Mission Viejo and San Clemente have developed one of the best public school rivalries in Southern California. Mission Viejo has dominated the South Coast League for the past 20 years and the team…

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Over the past 10 years or so, Mission Viejo and San Clemente have developed one of the best public school rivalries in Southern California.

Mission Viejo has dominated the South Coast League for the past 20 years and the team that has played the most competitive games with them is San Clemente.

The Diablos won nine consecutive league championships until San Clemente handed them their first league loss since 2008 in 2018 in a close game at San Clemente.

Mission Viejo easily beat San Clemente in a revenge game the last time the two teams met in 2019.

The coaches and players are open about not liking each other and the rivalry is intense. There are many quality players in this game and below are a few I think are the most important for each team in this particular game.

Micah Carreon, Mission Viejo, 2021

Carreon is not only the best pass rusher on Mission Viejo but he will also be crucial in stopping the run game in this one. San Clemente wants to run the ball and get their backs in open space. If Carreon can get in the backfield and get to the running backs before a cutback lane develops, it will be huge for the Diablos defense. Carreon is committed to Northern Arizona and had four sacks in his last game against San Juan Hills.

Brenndan Warady, Mission Viejo 2021

Warady is an outside linebacker/safety hybrid who will be tasked with covering San Clemente’s tight ends and slot receivers. The Tritons can move the ball on the Mission Viejo defense by using the short passing game. Warady will be crucial in preventing the short passes in man and in zone coverage.

.@missionfootball tradition never graduates. MVfootball #1 public HS in CA. 4-0 baby pic.twitter.com/6g0ClaxbHy

— Brenndan Warady (@BrenndanWarady) April 10, 2021

Mavin Anderson Mavin Anderson 6'0" | 195 lbs | WR Mission Viejo | 2021 State CA , Mission Viejo, 2021

Anderson is already signed with Cal which is probably why sophomore Mikey Matthews Mikey Matthews 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Mission Viejo | 2023 State CA is getting twice as many targets. San Clemente’s defense likes to bracket receivers and take away their opponents primary option and I expect them to do that to Matthews which opens the door for Anderson. He didn’t get to play against San Clemente last season and he definitely wants to go out with a big game and win.

Sophomore Mavin Anderson out here playing football football 👀 @AndersonMavin pic.twitter.com/VrWEt6QKSF

— Football Recruit. (@FootballRecruit) September 23, 2018

Kadin Semonza Kadin Semonza 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Mission Viejo | 2023 State CA , Mission Viejo 2023

The sophomore signal-caller is playing his best football right now but San Clemente is the best team he will play this short season. The Tritons are going to try to pressure him and make him make difficult decisions very quickly. Semonza has the ability to extend plays with his legs and he may need to do that a few times in this game. If he can avoid the pressure and give his receivers time to get open in a scramble drill, the Mission Viejo offense will have a huge game.

Highlights: Mission Viejo’s Kadin Semonza hits Josh Welles, Mikey Matthews and Mavin Anderson for TDs in win over Upland https://t.co/oporOPT60M pic.twitter.com/pjPoJmYRdh

— SBLive California (@SBLiveCA) March 28, 2021

Ryder Fitch Ryder Fitch 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Mission Viejo | 2021 State CA , Mission Viejo, 2021

Fitch is a lock down corner who had a busy day covering Division 1 bound receiver Braden Pegan last week. San Clemente’s top target is Anthony Hall and I expect Fitch to be lining up against Hall the majority of the game. He closes to the ball well and is equally good in man and zone coverage. He is an experienced player who can line up anywhere on the field and even make big plays in special teams.

Diablos are off to a great start! @Ryderfitch can’t be stopped. 🏃‍♂️💨💨💨@missionfootball | #PrepZone pic.twitter.com/SwjYND4m6c

— PrepZone (@prepzone) September 21, 2019

Lachlan van Rosmalen, San Clemente, 2022

San Clemente doesn’t ask its junior quarterback to do much, but he has played very well in his role this season. He has completed 62 percent of his passes for 641 yards and six touchdowns to just one interception. It will be interesting to see how he does playing from behind if the Diablos take a lead. He played from behind against Capo Valley but San Clemente quickly regained the lead due to field position and the running game. This will be a huge test for van Rosmalen.

Lachlan van Rosmalen (@Lachedandloaded) finds Bentley Redden(@BentleyRedden) for six to give @Tritonfootball a 21-17 lead late 3Q. pic.twitter.com/RbBrvrslaK

— KDahlgren Photography | Multimedia Specialist (@KDahlgrenPhoto) March 21, 2021

Kanious Vaughn, San Clemente, 2021

You can make a case that Vaughn has been San Clemente’s best defensive player this season. Mission Viejo has an excellent offensive line bit I still expect Vaughn to get pressure on Semonza and force him out of the pocket. If Vaughn and the San Clemente defense can’t get a pass rush on Semonza, it will be a long day for the Tritons. He recently was offered a preferred walk-on to the University of Arizona.

🚨 College Coaches take note of @kanious_vaughn stat line from last night's game against San Juan Hills. At 6'2, 220, this senior is a steal for any college looking for an impact player! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/g74LUWJ80G

— Triton Football (@Tritonfootball) April 3, 2021

Bentley Redden Bentley Redden 6'5" | 215 lbs | ATH San Clemente | 2021 State CA , San Clemente, 2021

The BYU signee only has 12 catches with two touchdowns this season but I expect him to be crucial in his final high school game. It’s very difficult to beat Mission Viejo with the deep ball and the recipe for success is with the short pass and Redden is great in the short passing game. San Clemente may look to exploit mismatches with Redden and smaller linebackers who will be covering him.

Lachlan van Rosmalen (@Lachedandloaded) finds Bentley Redden(@BentleyRedden) for six to give @Tritonfootball a 21-17 lead late 3Q. pic.twitter.com/RbBrvrslaK

— KDahlgren Photography | Multimedia Specialist (@KDahlgrenPhoto) March 21, 2021

James Bohls James Bohls 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB San Clemente | 2021 State CA , San Clemente, 2021

Bohls was always a physical specimen but he has really shown he can be a dominant running back this season. He has been the most important player on the San Clemente offense and when it matters most against Mission Viejo, I expect Bohls to get a lot of touches. The Diablos shut him down last season and Bohls will use that chip on his shoulder to show he can have a big game against an elite team. He has had a nice career at San Clemente and wants to cap it with a league championship.