Corona Centennial’s Cornell Hatcher Jr. (2) carries the ball against Mission Viejo during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Corona Centennial’s Izzy Carter (1) scrambles across the field during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game against Mission Viejo at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Mikey Matthews (8) embraces Corona Centennial’s Samarai Anderson (7) after Mission Viejo defeated Corona Centennial 31-28 in a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Kadin Semonza (3) falls to the ground after being tackled at the end of the play against Corona Centennial during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Corona Centennial’s Jayson Cortes (4) greets his team after they lost to Mission Viejo, 31-29, in a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Joseph Mendez (50) celebrates with his team after scoring a touchdown against Corona Centennial during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Corona Centennial’s Noah Westbrook (83) charges across the field during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game against Mission Viejo at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Hinesward Lilomaiava (23) searches for a way past Corona Centennial’s defense during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Corona Centennial’s Cornell Hatcher Jr. tries to stay on his feet as he’s tackled by Mission Viejo’s Charlie Hunt (82) during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Corona Centennial’s Izzy Carter (1) carries the ball against Mission Viejo during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Kj Reed (4) reaches for the pass as he’s closely defended by Corona Centennial’s Cameron Jamerson during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Corona Centennial’s Jayson Cortes (4) carries the ball against Mission Viejo during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Hinesward Lilomaiava, left, is tackled by Corona Centennial’s Tayten Beyer during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Mikey Matthews (8) gets his hands on the ball to block a field goal attempt by Corona Centennial at the end of the first half of a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Mikey Matthews (8) celebrates after blocking a field goal attempt by Corona Centennial at the end of the first half of a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo races onto the field to take on Corona Centennial in a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Corona Centennial huddles together before taking on Mission Viejo in a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Edward Schultz (5) charges across the field during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game against Corona Centennial at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Corona Centennial’s Cornell Hatcher Jr. (2) carries the ball into the end zone during a CIF Southern Section Division 1 football quarterfinal game against Mission Viejo at Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
CORONA — One of the most impressive steaks in Inland football history came to a shocking end Friday evening.
Centennial was looking to advance to the CIF Southern Section semifinals for the 15th straight time, but Kadin Semonza and his Mission Viejo teammates were not willing to be the next number in that streak.
Semonza passed for 312 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass, as Mission Viejo stunned the Huskies 31-28 in a Division 1 quarterfinal game.
The last time a Centennial team failed to reach the semifinals was 2006, when Chaparral knocked off the Huskies 42-28 in the Division 2 quarterfinal round.
“It’s been a great run, and all good things come to an end,” Centennial coach Matt Logan said. “Hopefully we can start it back up again next year, but all I can really think about right now is how much this group is hurting.
“Hats off to Mission Viejo, they had a great game plan and executed better than we did tonight.”
Centennial (9-2) was missing a handful of key offensive players because of disciplinary reasons or injuries, and the Huskies never found their familiar rhythm or explosiveness.
Logan was proud of players who stepped into bigger roles Friday, especially in the depleted receiving corps.
Sandy Smith hauled in a 76-yard touchdown pass for Izzy Carter to help give Centennial a 24-20 lead later in the third quarter.
Mission Viejo responded, as Semonza connected with Edward Schultz for a 40-yard touchdown to put Mission Viejo back on top.
Logan elected not to try a 30-yard field goal that could have tied the game midway through the fourth quarter. A blocked field goal and missed extra point earlier in the game was his reasoning.
Centennial had one final chance to win, but Trey Tolmaire intercepted a pass by Izzy Carter with less than two minutes remaining.
Mission Viejo (10-1) was able to run out the clock to secure the victory. It was a stark contrast from last year’s meeting, when the Diablos were trounced by Centennial 62-16.
“I am so proud of our guys. There is not a more deserving group than this one,” Semonza said.
The game started like a track meet, as both teams scored touchdowns on their opening two possessions.
Mission Viejo needed only six plays to find the end zone. Schultz caught a 32-yard pass from Semonza on the first play from scrimmage, and that duo connected again for a 15-yard touchdown to give the Diablos a quick lead.
Photos: Friday’s quarterfinals of the high school football playoffs
Centennial answered back, going 82 yard on 10 plays. Cornell Hatcher carried the ball four times on that drive, including the 10-yard touchdown that helped the Huskies level the score.
Mission Viejo came right back with a 16-play drive to regain the lead. Hinesward Lilomaiva grinded out some tough yards, and nose tackle Joseph Melendez plowed into the end zone from 2 yard out with less than a minute left in the first period.
Centennial had the answer once again. Jayson Cortes carried three times, including a 21-yard burst around the right end to help the Huskies draw even in the opening minute of the second quarter.
Centennial’s special teams came up big in the second period. Carter Plewe blocked a punt, but the Huskies were unable to capitalize. About a minute late, however, Tayten Beyer returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown to give Centennial a 20-14 advantage.
