Capistrano Valley’s Mark Hopkins hops over Cypress defender Devin Cobb while carrying the ball during a nonleague game between the two teams on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
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MISSION VIEJO — Capistrano Valley football bounced back from a tough loss to rally for a 38-28 victory against visiting Cypress on Friday.
Running back Jaden Cassidy and quarterback Trey Kukuk rushed for touchdowns in the fourth quarter and Dane Benedix added a key interception to help lift the No.15 Cougars, who trailed 13-0 early in the first quarter. They lost 67-47 last week to visiting Orange.
“We definitely played with more heart today, more courage,” said Benedix, who returned another interception for a touchdown and caught a score.
Capistrano Valley receiver Dane Benedix carries the ball for a touchdown after a catch at the 10-yard line during a nonleague game against Cypress on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley defender Dane Benedix breaks up a pass intended for Cypress wide receiver Matthew Morrell during a nonleague game between the two teams on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress defender Devin Cobb, right, breaks up a pass intended for Capistrano Valley wide receiver Owen Taylor during a nonleague game between the two teams on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley quarterback Trey Kukuk throws the ball while on the run during a nonleague game against Cypress on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley High School students throw chalk dust into the air at the start of Friday’s home football game against Cypress on September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley defender Dane Bendedix makes an interception in the Cypress end zone that he carried the other way for about 70 yards during Friday’s game between the two teams on September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley’s Mark Hopkins hops over Cypress defender Devin Cobb while carrying the ball during a nonleague game between the two teams on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley quarterback Trey Kukuk carries the ball on a quarterback keeper play that he carried for a touchdown during a nonleague game against Cypress on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress wide receiver Tomas Ramirez carries the ball during a nonleague game against Capistrano Valley on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress defensive end Carson St. Amand, left, sacks Capistrano Valley quarterback Trey Kukuk during Friday’s nonleague game between the two teams on September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley High School students cheer on the Cougars during Friday’s home football game against Cypress on September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress quarterback Dylan Eldredge throws the ball during a nonleague game at Capistrano Valley High School on Friday night, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley quarterback Trey Kukuk throws the ball during a nonleague game against Cypress on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress quarterback Dylan Eldredge throws the ball during a nonleague game at Capistrano Valley High School on Friday night, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley quarterback Trey Kukuk throws the ball during a nonleague game against Cypress on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress quarterback Dylan Eldredge throws the ball during a nonleague game at Capistrano Valley High School on Friday night, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Active-duty service members of various branches stand with players on the field during a moment of silence before the start of a football game at Capistrano Valley High School on Military Appreciation Night on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley running back Jaden Cassidy leans across the end zone for a touchdown during a nonleague game against Cypress on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Capistrano Valley wide receiver Owen Taylor carries the ball during a nonleague game against Cypress on Friday, September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
After starting quarterback Dylan Eldredge had to leave the game with an injury in the first half, quarterback Elliott Lemonnier throws the ball during Friday’s game against Capistrano Valley on September 24, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
On a Cypress fourth-and-21 from the Capistrano Valley 31-yard line, Benedix appeared to return a leaping interception 102 yards for a score with 5:14 left in the fourth quarter. The ball, however, was instead spotted at the Cypress 24 because of an unsportsmanlike penalty on the return, the Cougars said.
Four plays, Kukuk scored on a 1-yard run as Capistrano Valley (4-2) took a 38-28 lead. Kukuk rushed for 88 yards and two scores on 16 carries.
The loss was costly for No. 13 Cypress (3-2), which lost standout quarterback Dylan Eldredge to an apparent knee injury while scrambling in the second quarter, Centurions coach Rick Feldman said.
“Feel terrible for Dylan,” Feldman said.
Capistrano Valley linebacker Juan Segura was a defensive standout with four first-half sacks and two tackles for loss. Cypress defensive end Carson St. Amend recorded two sacks.
The offenses for both schools were the main draw entering the game. Capistrano Valley began the night averaging 36.4 points while Cypress came in at 36.
Cypress lived up to its reputation on its first possession as Eldredge tossed a 31-yard touchdown to running back Tomas Ramirez, who lined up at receiver.
After Cypress’ defense forced a second consecutive three-and-out, Eldredge rolled to his left and launched a 53-yard touchdown to wide receiver Trevor Monteleone. The extra point failed and the Centurions led 13-0 with 2:54 left in the first quarter.
Capistrano Valley received a spark late in the opening quarter from Benedix. The junior grabbed an interception on a reverse, flea-flicker and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown.
Capistrano Valley took a brief 14-13 lead after a 10-yard TD run by Kukuk after he briefly bobbled the ball.
Eldredge responded with his third TD pass of the opening half. He completed a short pass toward the sideline to wide receiver Devin Cobb, who zigzagged for a 50-yard score. Eldredge ran for a 2-point conversion as Cypress led 21-14.
Capistrano Valley tied the score at 21-21 after Kukuk threw a 44-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Benedix with six minutes in the half.
The Cougars appeared poised to take the lead going into intermission after Damien Berg recovered a muffed punt at the Cypress 3. But he Centurions’ defense made a goal-line stand, stopping a Kukuk run attempt on fourth-and-goal at the 1.
Next week, Cypress opens Empire League play against Crean Lutheran at Western. Capistrano Valley has a bye next week before traveling to rival San Juan Hills (0-5) to continue its nonleague schedule.
The Cougars open Sea View League play against El Toro on Oct. 15.
