YORBA LINDA – Fairmont Prep made one last desperation move, and Santa Clarita Christian made the Huskies pay for it.
Their lead had shrunk to six points with 1:24 left to play, but the Cardinals beat the blitz to put the game out of reach with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Tristin Miller to Jacob Moss to give Santa Clarita Christian a 53-40 victory in a San Joaquin League game Thursday night at Yorba Linda High.
The Cardinals (7-3, 3-2) clinched a playoff spot in the East Valley Division. Fairmont Prep’s season ends at 2-8, 0-5.
The Huskies made the game interesting late in the fourth quarter after a goalline stand with 6:51 left to play. Kiki Mendoza broke off a 72-yard run on third down to set up the Huskies at the Cardinals’ 27. Mendoza capped the drive with a 1-yard run on fourth and goal to make it 46-40.
The ensuing onside kick was not successful as Santa Clarita Christian recovered at their own 49.
“We have 26 kids on our team and 17 of them have never played football in their lifetime,” Huskies coach Fred Romo said. “And they are battling. I can’t be more proud.”
Mendoza led the Huskies with 182 yards on 18 carries. Teammate Michael Chatman rushed for 76 yards and scored three times (two rushing, one reception).
