Gaines, Payne Earn Victory for Cougars

MISSION VIEJO â€”  While both offenses sputtered most of Friday night, Capistrano Valley quarterback Sam Gaines and wide receiver Greg Payne were able to make a connection when it counted and the Cougars scored an 18-8 South Coast League victory over El Toro at Trabuco Hills High.

“A lot of people tease Greg and I that we look alike, so it only makes sense that we got together for some big gains,� said Gaines. “Actually, that happens every once in awhile. I get in a click with one of my receivers and tonight it just happened to be Greg.�

Gaines was seven of 17 for 121 yards, but Payne caught four of the passes for 100 yards and set up Capistrano Valley’s second touchdown and a fourth-quarter field goal that clinched the game.

Capistrano Valley’s defense shut down El Toro, which scored its only points on a 43-yard interception by Matt Harding on the first drive of the second half. El Toro (2-5-1, 0-3) converted the two-point conversion.

Leading, 15-8, Payne caught a 32-yard pass to give Capistrano Valley a first and 10 at the El Toro 11 midway through the fourth quarter. Then, three plays later, Jeff Cellini kicked a field goal.

Capistrano Valley (5-3, 2-1) built a 15-0 lead in the first half by scoring touchdowns on its first and last drives and adding a safety late in the first quarter.

The Cougars put together a crisp seven-play drive on their first possession. Dan Geiss, who had 131 yards in 28 carries, scored from seven yards out and Capistrano Valley led, 7-0. Late in the first quarter, El Toro took over at its own one-yard line. Running back Jeff Brizic and quarterback Bryan Lefevers mishandled the handoff and Brizic was gang-tackled in the end zone for a safety.

On its last drive of the half, Capistrano Valley scored on an 18-yard pass from Gaines to Payne.