GAME RECAP: No. 6 Mission Viejo Opens 2026 with Explosive 55-17 Win over No. 13 Chaparral

MISSION VIEJO — A slow start quickly turned into a statement.

No. 6 Mission Viejo erupted for 35 second-half points and rolled to a 55-17 victory over No. 13 Chaparral on Friday night at Diablo Stadium, opening the 2026 season in dominant fashion.

Sophomore quarterback Brett Burnor delivered a strong debut under center, completing 14 of 21 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns. The Diablos trailed early but seized control late in the first half and never looked back.

Chaparral held a slim lead through much of the opening two quarters before Mission Viejo took its first advantage with 27 seconds remaining before intermission. Burnor connected with Jack Junker on a 51-yard touchdown strike, set up by a fumble recovery on a Chaparral punt return, giving the Diablos a 20-17 halftime edge.

The floodgates opened after the break. Safety Jordan Hicks turned into a one-man highlight reel in the third quarter, returning an interception for a touchdown and later recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for another score. Mission Viejo led 41-17 with just over eight minutes left in the third and continued to pour it on.

By the fourth quarter the running clock was on, and the Diablos had put together a complete, multi-phase performance against a solid Inland Empire opponent that was missing star quarterback Dane Weber.

The win improves Mission Viejo to 1-0. Chaparral drops to 0-1.

For the Diablos, it was the kind of season opener that sets an early tone. Burnor looked sharp, the defense created turnovers and special-teams scores, and the offense found its rhythm once the first-half adjustments settled in.