New York Jets Snatch Mark Sanchez

    Mark Sanchez, former quarterback for the Mission Viejo Diablos and USC Trojans, went to the New York Jets as the fifth choice in today’s NFL draft. The Jets traded away two of their first round picks, 17th and 57th, to obtain the number five slot so the team could acquire Sanchez, according to USA Today.

    Brett Farve retired in February after leading the Jets to a successful season last year. Backup Kellen Clemens would be the natural successor unless Sanchez can learn the offense quickly and outperform Clemens in pre-season workouts.

    Interest remains in what contract terms Sanchez receives with the Jets. The Detroit Lions selected Georgia’s QB Matthew Stafford as the draft’s first choice. The Lions finalized a contract with Stafford before the draft for $42 million guaranteed over six years.

    Sanchez left USC at the end of his junior year, rejecting the advice from Coach Carroll to play his final year with USC before entering the professional draft.

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Sanchez Rejects Coach & Family Advice; Confirms Jump To NFL

    Mission High’s former football star, Mark Sanchez, today confirmed rumors that he will enter the NFL draft instead of staying at USC for his senior year.

    Mark said, “It has been my dream since I was just a little kid to play in the NFL and thanks to this great academic institution and football program, I have the opportunity to realize that dream,” according to the LA Daily News.

    His USC Coach, Pete Carroll, was quoted as saying, “The facts are so strong against this decision.  After analyzing all the information, the truth is there — he should’ve stayed for another year. . . . his family didn’t want it [leaving USC], and everybody else told him he should’ve stayed.”

    Speculation has been that this year’s draft is devoid of top quarterbacks, creating an opportunity for a first round pick that might not be as lucrative next year.  According to Carroll, however, 62% of undergraduate quarterbacks who jump to the NFL don’t make the grade.

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Bridgford Tops Sanchez TD Record

Allan Bridgford

    Diablo  quarterback   Allan  Bridgford  has  surpassed  the single-year touchdown passing record of young legend Mark Sanchez, according to the Times.  Bridgford has scored on 30 passes in nine games this season.  That compares with Sanchez’s previous record of 29 touchdowns in 14 games during the 2004 season.  Bridgford still has at least two games remaining, and could see more action depending on the team’s playoff success.

    Bridgford has led Mission to an 8-1-0 record.  The team meets Capo High (3-6) Friday before beginning the playoffs.

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Sanchez Watches Diablos Crush La Costa

Photos by Lisa Detrick

     La  Costa  Canyon  was  ranked  22nd  in  California   high school football.  The team had visions of making the top ten if it could knock off 11th ranked Mission Viejo.

Dallas Kessman

    The dream turned into a nightmare as the Diablos systematically powered over La Costa, 38-14.  Once again Mission Viejo was slow getting started, however, going scoreless in the first period.

    The pace changed for MV in the second and third quarters, however, while the Diablo defense held La Costa scoreless.  During the same second quarter Allan Bridgford was completing three drives with scoring passes inside the ten-yard line.  Two of the passes found Kevin Chandler and the other hit Alex Mascarenas.

    The third quarter scoring came on a fumble recovery in the end zone by Mascarenas and a long 42-yard field goal by Kassius Boswell, leaving MV ahead 31-7 entering the last quarter.  Both teams added a TD in the fourth.  Jake Marshall plunged the final yard and last score for MV.  Marshall also led the rushing attack with 110 yards.

    Bridgford finished with 205 passing yards.  Chandler had 107 yards receiving (photos below).

    Mark Sanchez (photo right), QB for the #1 USC Trojans, was in the stands to enjoy the victory by his alma mater.

          

          

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MV’s Sanchez Takes Control Of Trojans

    Mission Viejo native Mark Sanchez left no doubt about his ability to lead the USC Trojans when USC trounced Virginia, 52-17, on Saturday.

    Sanchez, who dislocated his kneecap on August 8, missed practice after the injury and stood to lose his starting role if it hadn’t healed before the opener.  He showed no physical limitations in completing 26 of 35 passes for 337 yards in front of 65,000 spectators. 

    Sanchez’s No. 3 ranked Trojans meet No. 2 ranked Ohio State on September 13.

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