WHITTIER — In a game that went back and forth for nearly 48 minutes, a 34-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Landon Armenta as time expired gave host La Serna a 31-28 nonleague victory over Tesoro on Friday night at Cal High.
“I’ve never had a kick like that to win and it was just an amazing feeling having to do the job for the team,” Armenta said
After Tesoro (2-2) tied the score at 28-all with 4:20 left, both teams failed to move the ball over the next three minutes.
That set the stage for a dramatic final drive with 1:24 remaining for the defending CIF State champion Lancers (3-1).
After a couple of short passes to junior wide receiver Zeb Bontemps (six catches, 130 yards, TD), senior receiver Kaimana Tufaga hauled in a 17-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jordan Bonilla at the 17-yard line.
Two plays later, Bonilla threw an incomplete pass with just four seconds remaining, giving Armenta just enough time to drill the decisive field goal.
“I can’t remember ever winning as time expired,” said La Serna coach Andy George, who has been with the program for 22 years, the last 10 as head coach. “Every game we play against Tesoro is always real competitive.
“They got their plays, and we made plays as well and had an answer back each time and (Armenta) just split the uprights.”
Leading the way for La Serna was the two-headed quarterback combo of sophomores Jordan Bonilla and Grady Long.
Long, who started and played the first half, was 9 for 13 for 175 yards and two touchdowns, while Bonilla was 12 for 15 for 142 yards.
Leading the way on the ground for the Lancers was sophomore running back Daniel Moreno with 88 yards on seven carries. He picked up the bulk of his yards on one play – running 72 yards for a touchdown.
“I trusted my team and the coaches and my O-line and took the opportunity and made the most of it,” said Moreno, who had his longest run of the season. “On my score I broke the first tackle, and I saw green grass in front of me.”
Tufaga had six catches for 88 yards, helping set up a couple of touchdowns with his clutch receptions.
“I just have to be a team player and every time they called my number I did my best,” Tufaga said. “On the catch to set up the last few plays I just had to get out of bounds to stop the clock. Faith over fear.”
Tesoro was led by senior quarterback Cash O’Byrne, who was 13 for 21 for 254 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for a score.
Tesoro wide receiver Braiden Vaca led the Titans with seven catches for 69 yards, while senior wide receiver Tanner Silber had six catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns (covering 20 and 4 yards).
Tesoro took the opening kickoff and was driving deep into La Serna territory but was stopped on an interception by Lancers junior cornerback Rhyen Ramirez.
Three plays later, the Lancers took a 7-0 lead.
After a short run by senior running back Elijah Blu Flores II, two long passes by Long gave the Lancers the early lead, as Flores caught a 30-yard pass and Bontemps caught a 46-yard touchdown pass.
The Lancers opened a 14-0 lead on a 17-yard pass over the middle to senior wide receiver Eli Perez with 1:14 remaining in the first half. The Titans scored a late TD just before halftime to get within 14-7.
After Tesoro tied the score midway through the third quarter, La Serna took a 21-14 lead on Moreno’s 72-yard run to begin the fourth quarter.
O’Byrne tied the score again on a 19-yard run with 7:46 left in the game, but senior running back Elijah Blu Flores II scored the fourth touchdown of the night for La Serna on a 3-yard run on the ensuing possession.
