Mission Viejo wide receiver Luke Karby, left, celebrates with tight end Max Markofski after scoring a touchdown on a pass play against Chaparral in the first quarter in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Chaparral’s Kingston Hunter, right, gets past Mission Viejo cornerback Jojo Reed to score a touchdown against Mission Viejo in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo quarterback Brett Burnor rolls out looking for a receiver against Chaparral in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo wide receiver Jeremy Bonhomme, right, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Luke Karby in the third quarter against Chaparral in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Chaparral quarterback Caden Sterba, center, hurries to get rid of the ball as Mission Viejo defensive lineman Toa Nansen, right, and defensive lineman Jackson Rogers, left, look to bring him down in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo wide receiver Luke Karby, right, reaches above Chaparral defensive back Jorden Dozier to make the touchdown catch in the second quarter in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Chaparral wide receiver Michael Kiko Farinas runs through the Mission Viejo defense on a kick-off return in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo wide receiver Luke Karby, left, beats Chaparral cornerback Kingston Hunter to make the catch and score a touchdown in the first quarter in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo’s Gavin Ploszaj, left, blocks a Chaparral punt that is then picked up by a teammate for a touchdown in the the third quarter in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Chaparral wide receiver Eli Woodard jumps over Mission Viejo defenders to gain big yardage in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Chaparral wide receiver Michael Kiko Farinas is brought down by Mission Viejo’s Tyler Hawksford on a kick-off return in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo defensive back Jordan Hicks, right, intercepts a pass intended for Chaparral wide receiver Michael Kiko Farinas in the third quarter in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mission Viejo wide receiver Jeremy Bonhomme (11) scores a touchdown as he is pulled into the end zone by Chaparral’s Kai Mamaril’s tackle in a nonleague football game in Mission Viejo on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
MISSION VIEJO — The Mission Viejo football team, ranked No. 3 in Orange County, more than made up for a slow start in its season-opening 55-17 nonleague victory over Chaparral on Friday at Mission Viejo High School.
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The Diablos trailed for most of the first half until sophomore quarterback Brett Burnor, who was making his first start, connected with Jack Junker for a 51-yard touchdown, giving Mission Viejo a 20-17 lead at the half.
Junker, who was coming off a terrific performance during summer passing tournaments, completed 14 of 21 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns.
The sophomore said there were some nerves coming into the contest, but that was to be expected for the season opener in front of a home crowd.
But the butterflies disappeared after the first snap, Burnor said.
Being surrounded by All-County returnees and Division I commits didn’t hurt either, he said.
“I felt like I played good, but they make it easy on me,” Burnor said. “I’ve got a lot of time back there. And we have all-state receivers. Everybody’s committed. So, they make it really easy on me.”
The touchdown in the final seconds of the first half was set up by Quinn Copinga’s fumble recovery on a Pumas punt return.
Mission Viejo put the game away with a 28-point third quarter, all within a span of five minutes.
The rapid succession of points can be attributed to Jordan Hicks, who returned an interception for a 42-yard touchdown and returned a blocked punt from Gavin Ploszaj for a 2-yard touchdown.
“I love being the guy that could change the scenario for my team,” Hicks said. “I just love my team and we’re going to come back next week ready to work.”
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Chaparral’s star quarterback, Dane Weber, a senior who is committed to Cal, didn’t play in this game after undergoing surgery on his right hand recently to repair a thumb injury.
Sophomore Caden Serba filled in for Weber, completing 14 of 17 passes for 105 yards.
The Pumas received the opening kickoff and caught the Diablos off guard on their first play from scrimmage when running back Michael Farinas hit a wide-open Eli Woodard on a halfback option for a 70-yard touchdown.
Mission Viejo responded with an 80-yard scoring drive, capped by Burnor’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Luke Karby.
The Diablos held the Pumas to a 25-yard field goal on the ensuing drive for a 10-6 lead and made it 17-6 on a 12-yard scoring run from Kingston Hunter.
From there, the Diablos outscored the Pumas 49-0.
Mission Viejo coach Chad Johnson told his team he was essentially pleased with their effort.
Johnson said he’ll look at game film with his staff and make any necessary adjustments going into next Friday’s home game against St. Paul.
“Some guys maybe didn’t play as well and they’ll get pulled back on the bench,” Johnson said. “And other guys get more playing time … all the little fixes.”
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