Highland gives extra effort in upset victory

Capitalizing on a pair of missed extra points, No. 8 Highland rallied for a 13-12 victory at top-seeded Nipomo to advance to the Central Section Division IV semifinals.

Jojo Mata connected with Manny Valeta on two critical passes with under a minute to play, including a 3-yard scoring play with 22 seconds left, and Mata kicked the extra point in what proved to be the game-winner. Two plays prior, Mata threw a 53-yard pass to Valeta, bringing the ball to the Titans’ 4-yard line.

Valeta finished off his big night with an interception to clinch the game in the final seconds.

With the score tied 6-6, Nipomo (74) drove to the Scots’ 1-yard line, but Highland’s Darren Maiden forced a fumble to halt the scoring opportunity.

The Scots were unable to move the ball and were hurt by a bad snap on a fourth-down play that allowed the Titans to take over on their 15.

Nipomo scored, but missed the PAT, leaving the score at 12-6, and opening the door for Highland’s dramatic finish.

Mata finished with 104 yards rushing and a touchdown and 70 yards passing, while Valeta had five catches for 57 yards. Defensively, Trevor Jano and Jacob Urrea each had a sack.

Highland’s upset victory was one of four by area teams on Friday. No. 7 Bakersfield Christian (D-III), No. 15 Ridgeview (D-V) and No. 3 Mojave (8-man) each defied the odds to advance to the next round.

NO. 6 FRONTIER 35, NO. 14 WASCO 0

Vincent Igoa threw for 183 yards and a touchdown, and ran for another to help the Titans (6-2) hand the Tigers (10-1) their first loss of the season in the D-II quarterfinals. Daniel Overton had 116 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 14 carries, and Samuel Marquez ran for 55 yards and a score. Mason Tapia caught a 80-yard touchdown pass from Igoa. Defensively, John Appleton intercepted two passes and had six tackles, and James Moon had a team-high 15 tackles.