Bold move pays off for Sierra Canyon

The Chatsworth Sierra Canyon High football team ended an epic game with a gutsy call.

The move paid off bigtime for the Trailblazers, and it resulted in their second consecutive CIF Southern Section title.

Bobby Cole ran up the middle for a two-point conversion in the second overtime to give top-seeded Sierra Canyon a 36-35 victory over No. 3-seeded Corona del Mar in the Division 4 championship game Friday night at Granada Hills High.

Sierra Canyon went for two after a 20-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Johnny Hawkins to junior Michael Myrick in the second overtime, after Corona del Mar had taken a 35-28 lead on senior quarterback Chase Garbers’ third two-yard touchdown run of the game.

Sam Shadorf had a touchdown reception for Sierra Canyon in the first overtime before Garbers responded on Sea Kings’ turn with a 12-yard touchdown pass to freshman John Humphreys.

Sierra Canyon (14-0) never trailed in regulation, but Corona del Mar (12-2) kept it close throughout.

The teams combined for three turnovers in the first quarter, and Sierra Canyon cashed one in with 3:38 left when Cole, who came in with 1,903 yards rushing, broke off a 59-yard run for his 29th touchdown of the season.

The Trailblazers doubled their lead to 14-0 on a 10-yard scoring pass from Hawkins to sophomore receiver J.J. Hernandez, who would finish with seven receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

Corona del Mar responded just seconds before halftime, when Garbers capped an 11-play, 69-yard drive with a two-yard keeper.

J.T. Murphy rushed for 240 yards for the Sea Kings, who were trying for their first section title since 2013.