PREP FOOTBALL : South Coast League : Big Plays Make the Difference for Irvine

Irvine High School used 4 big plays to win its South Coast League opener over San Clemente, 27-7, in front of a homecoming crowd of about 2,500 Friday night.

The Vaqueros (1-0, 5-1) scored 21 of their points in the first half.

The first score came on a 28-yard run by tailback Mitch Steinke in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Irvine quarterback Dave Lincoln fired a 43-yard touchdown pass to tight end Robert Nied.

But the biggest play of the game was a school-record 95-yard touchdown run by Steinke late in the second quarter to make the score, 21-0, at the half.

Steinke finished the game with 171 yards in 10 carries.

In the third quarter, Nied caught his second touchdown, a 12-yarder from Lincoln, but the kick failed.

San Clemente scored with 1:14 left on a 1-yard run by quarterback Eric Kovanda.

Kovanda completed 19 of 39 passes for 189 yards and had 1 interception. Nine of those passes went to tight end Ted Haberfield for 116 yards.