Sanger’s season flat-lines on late TD. Check how Bullard celebrated.
From a stellar start to a flat finish.
That’s how Sanger High’s final game – as well as its entire season – played out.
After jumping to a 14-0 halftime lead Thursday, ninth-seeded Sanger allowed three unanswered touchdowns as No. 8 Bullard rallied for a 21-14 victory in the opening round of the Central Section Division I playoffs.
Knights quarterback Kalei Acfalle threw three touchdowns, all after halftime, including a game winner to Joshua Kelly with 39 seconds remaining to eliminate an Apaches team that a year ago reached a CIF State Championship Bowl.
Bullard celebrated with an amazing flip from one of its players.
Victory is sweet! pic.twitter.com/mwhO9B0LMn
— Bullard Sports (@BullardSports) November 10, 2017
Time and again this season, Sanger stumbled during critical stretches in an indication that last season’s magical ride would not be repeated.
The Apaches (8-3), under the direction of first-year coach Jorge Pena, did start this season winning five straight.
But as County/Metro Athletic Conference play got under way, Sanger lost to Bullard 27-6.
Closing the regular season, the Apaches lost their finale and missed a chance to finish as a co-league champion.
Sanger’s one-and-done playoff run would follow a similar course as the overall season.
Bullard (6-5), meanwhile, moves on to face top-seeded Central (9-1), which crushed the Knights 44-0 in a season opener.
Bryant-Jon Anteola: 559-441-6362, @Banteola_TheBee
Central Section D-I playoffs
First round Nov. 9
No. 6 Edison 20, No. 11 Clovis North 13
No. 7 Clovis 49, No. 10 Ridgeview 39
No. 8 Bullard 21, No. 9 Sanger 14
Quarterfinals Nov. 17
No. 8 Bullard at No. 1 Central
No. 4 Bakersfield at No. 4 Liberty
No. 6 Edison at No. 3 Buchanan
No. 7 Clovis at No. 2 Clovis West
This story was originally published November 9, 2017 at 10:03 PM with the headline "Sanger’s season flat-lines on late TD. Check how Bullard celebrated.."