Last-minute TD ends Eagles’ title streak

Aurora Christian’s run of state championships came to an end against the same team that last defeated it in the state playoffs.

The Eagles lost a last-minute heartbreaker, 28-26, to Stillman Valley on Saturday night in a Class 3A semifinal in Aurora to end their state championship streak at two.

‘‘These senior kids have had a great run and I’m very proud of them,’’ Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe said. ‘‘Not many kids can say that they played on two state championships and a semifinal unless you’re at Montini.’’

The game came down to two goal-line plays in the final seconds. Stillman fullback Zac Hare lost the ball on both of them. He was ruled down by contact at the Eagles’ three-yard line on the first run, and then plowed his way into the end zone on the next play. The ball came loose, but referees ruled that he broke the plane before the fumble.

The momentum of the game changed numerous times in the second half, but no swing seemed bigger than the one that occurred near the beginning of the third quarter.

On the opening possession of the second half, MJ Zepeda intercepted a Connor McNames pass that he returned 44 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 17-7 lead.

The Cardinals failed to pick up a first down on fourth-and-one from their own 29 on the next possession.

The Eagles (9-4) failed to score with the great field position they inherited, which again turned the tide.

‘‘It was a big difference in the game,’’ Beebe said. ‘‘ We couldn’t convert. We had two dropped balls — one of them was for a touchdown.’’

Stillman Valley (11-2) then got a Tyler Lundquist seven-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 17-14.

Hare eventually put Stillman ahead 21-20 on a one-yard plunge before the Eagles stormed back.

Quarterback Austin Bray capped a stellar drive with a 10yard shovel pass completion to Legend Smith (29 carries, 162 yards; six catches, 32 yards) to lift Aurora to a 26-21 lead with 2:27 remaining in the game.

‘‘It’s unfortunate [we lost], but I gave it my all out there,’’ Smith said ‘‘It was a good run, but I just want to thank God for bringing us here.’’