Sierra Canyon football overcame a wet and challenging playing surface in Chatsworth to defeat visiting Mission Viejo 21 to 7 on Friday evening. The victory secures the Trailblazers a spot in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship game, where they will travel to face Corona Centennial next Friday. The win also avenges a painful loss to Santa Margarita in the playoffs of the previous season, which occurred under similar rainy conditions.
Senior safety Myles Baker and sophomore linebacker Ethan Harrington anchored the defensive effort for Sierra Canyon. Baker led the team with 13 tackles, while Harrington recorded two of the three sacks in the game. The wet turf, which can often hinder offensive rhythm, seemed to favor Sierra Canyon’s physical style of play, allowing their underclassmen to make significant plays.
The Trailblazers established a commanding lead early in the first quarter. Senior quarterback Demarco Hernandez opened the scoring sequence with a 54-yard pass to Sir Homer King Webb. On the very next play, Cal commit Jaxsen Stokes rushed for a 29-yard touchdown. By the time 1 minute and 41 seconds remained in the first quarter, Sierra Canyon had built a 14-0 advantage.
Stokes was instrumental in the first half, finishing with 180 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, including a short one-yard run. The team’s early success was part of a broader trend, as Sierra Canyon has now scored 179 points in the first quarter alone this season. Stokes credited the coaching staff for helping him identify weaknesses in the opposing defense during the two-week preparation period.
Mission Viejo managed to find some traction in the second quarter. After a fumble by junior Micah Slade was recovered by the Diablos, senior Jack Junker rushed four yards for a touchdown. This score cut Sierra Canyon’s lead to 14-7 with 10 minutes and 39 seconds remaining in the half. However, the Trailblazers’ offense struggled thereafter when Hernandez injured his left ankle and exited the game.
The Diablos threatened to tie the game late in the second quarter after Sierra Canyon was penalized for roughing the punter. Sophomore quarterback Brett Burnor drove the ball inside the 30-yard line following a facemask penalty on the defense. Yet, Sierra Canyon’s defense remained resilient. Sophomore Jaxson Davis intercepted Burnor with 36 seconds left, and sophomore Ian Patterson took a knee to end the half.
Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson expressed pride in his team’s ability to battle back despite the deficit. He emphasized that true character is revealed in adversity rather than during easy victories. Johnson noted that the players clawed back into the game, showing the resilience he values in his program.
In the third quarter, Sierra Canyon’s defense continued to dominate. Freshman Mykel Ramos intercepted a Burnor pass, and sophomore Eli Zambrano added a sack. Senior athlete Faroq Muhammad extended the lead with a 30-yard rushing touchdown with 9 minutes and 26 seconds remaining. The final blow came from Wyoming commit Brayden Tautolo, who recorded three tackles for loss, including a critical stop on fourth down that sealed the victory.
Tautolo highlighted the importance of applying constant pressure to the opposing offense throughout the contest. Meanwhile, Harrington reflected on his personal growth, stating that he focused on making the most of his opportunities rather than counting repetitions. The performance solidified Sierra Canyon’s status as a top contender in the state playoffs.
Despite the loss, Coach Johnson remained proud of Mission Viejo’s season and the culture he has built around interpersonal connections. He described his program as old-school, prioritizing lifelong friendships and shared experiences over the constant pursuit of championships. Johnson stated that his primary goal is to create a group where players support each other through life, a standard he believes is harder to maintain in today’s competitive landscape.
