Central Section Division I playoffs: Two games decided last second, plus a heartbreak
Sanger High coach Matt Logue didn’t hesitate to send his players back on to the field for one more run with the game on the line.
The fifth-seeded Apaches were facing fourth-and-goal at the Clovis East 3-yard line and were having their way by running the ball as the offensive line created open lanes.
Jaden Chanthalangsy handed the ball off to Israel Robles who tried to cut in to the left but was stopped by Tommy Nix to seal the fourth-seeded Timberwolves’ 17-14 victory in a Central Section high school football Division I quarterfinal at Lamonica Stadium on Thursday night.
“He’’s a great running back,” Nix said. “Just coming through on that last play together as one.”
Logue said he would run the play again if faced with the same situation.
“I would’ve done it 100 times out of 100,” he said. “It wasn’t a question in my mind to kick a field goal. In my mind, the way we run the ball with the O-line that we have; three yards to beat that team and not let their offense get back out there except for 20 seconds to go in the game ... it didn’t work out.”
Clovis East coach Brandon Nagle said when he saw the Sanger’s offense going back out on the field, he figured they would run it one final time.
“We were right,” he said. “I was proud of the boys because they still had to make the play. Sanger, they are never going to quit. They’re tough and they have a great coach over there. They battled back. What a stop at the end.”
It was Clovis East’s first playoff victory since 2008.
Central gets game-winning TD against Frontier
Second-seeded Frontier entered its game undefeated at 10-0.
That run came to an end.
Seventh-seeded Central scored when David Marquez connected with Braylen Hall on a 23-yard pass with 11 seconds remaining for a 36-32 victory.
Central came out strong against the Titans, building a 22-10 lead.
Frontier took the lead late in the fourth quarter on Kobie Watson’s 4-yard touchdown reception from Malakhi Statler for a 31-29 lead.
Marquez finished with five passing touchdowns.
Clovis tough against Liberty-Bakersfield
It didn’t look good for No. 6 Clovis, which nearly pulled off an incredible comeback against No. 3 Liberty-Bakersfield on the road.
The Cougars trailed 26-7 in the second quarter.
But when it comes to Clovis quarterback Deagan Rose, anything’s possible.
The Cougars made a game of it, cutting the Patriots’ lead to 26-23 at halftime then eventually taking a 30-26 lead on Rose’s 4-yard run with 7:40 remaining.
Liberty came back and got a quick touchdown with 5:53 remaining for a 33-30 victory.
Clovis responded by moving the ball down the field, but couldn’t get past the Patriots 35-yard line.
Liberty will host Central in the other semifinal.
Clovis North too much for Clovis West
Top-seeded Clovis North remained undefeated after a 34-0 victory over No. 8 Clovis West.
The Broncos took control in the second quarter when Jackson Cinfel and McKay Madsen each had a rushing touchdown.
Madsen finished with three touchdowns and Cinfel with two.
Clovis North improved to 11-0 and will face Clovis East at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in the semifinals.
This story was originally published November 10, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
