The highly anticipated matchup between the host Mission Viejo Diablos and the visiting Don Bosco Prep Ironmen from New Jersey lived up to the hype with the Diablos pulling out a thrilling 28-25 victory in overtime on an 11-yard touchdown run by Alex Suchesk.
Leading 3-0, Mission Viejo quarterback Ian Fieber connected with Boise State commit Sean Modster on a 14-yard touchdown strike to put the Diablos up 10-0. The defense was led by the stellar play of senior Michael Matthews. Viejo added a field goal and led 13-0 at halftime.
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Don Bosco Prep turned things around in the third quarter, relying on a heavy dose of running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks. A quick slant from Ironmen quarterback Frank Nutile to Alex Kaplanovich moved the ball into Diablos territory. Hanks capped off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 13-7.
Trailing 13-7 in the fourth quarter, Ironmen junior safety Daivon Ellison delivered a big hit on Suchesk, forcing a fumble that was scooped up by sophomore linebacker Mike Gutjahr and returned for a touchdown to give Don Bosco Prep their first lead of the game at 14-13.
The Diablos responded with a scoring drive capped by a short touchdown run by Suchesk. The conversion failed leaving Mission Viejo up 19-14 with six minutes to play.
Nutile led the Ironmen down the field with some accurate passes and Hanks punched in the go-ahead touchdown. The Ironmen added the two-point try to lead 22-19 with about a minute left.
With the game on the line, San Jose State commit Ian Fieber marched his team into field goal range with some clutch throws. A 32-yard field goal by senior kicker Zach Olson sent the game into overtime.
After the Diablos held the Ironmen to a field goal on their overtime possession, the stage was set for a dramatic finish.
Facing fourth down, the Diablos sent out the field goal unit hoping to force double overtime. A bad snap forced the holder, backup quarterback Hunter Bland to make a play. Incredibly, Bland found a receiver for a first down catch.
Two plays later, Suchesk took a toss left and raced up the left sideline for the game-winning touchdown sending the stadium into pandemonium.
