Avalon High fumbled away its chance to take the Express League title as they fell to Sage Hill High, 40-28, on Friday at Sage Hill.
After falling behind 14-0, the Lancers began to close the gap, but each time they got close, either Sage Hill would respond, or turnovers would kill scoring opportunities for Avalon. Trailing 40-28, the Lancers used a nine-play drive to get to the Lightning five yard line for a chance to cut the lead to within a touchdown with more than six minutes remaining.
However, a fumble near the goal line rolled through the end zone for a touchback, giving Sage Hill the possession on a touchback. The Lightning were able to grind out the rest of the clock before taking a knee after the Lancers jumped offsides on fourth and one, with 1:04 remining.
Avalon fell behind 14-0 after a slow start, but finally got settled in for a scoring drive midway through the first quarter. DeAngelo Reyes capped the drive with a touchdown run to cut the lead to 14-6.
But Sage Hill would answer with a drive of their own to push the lead back to 21-6. Adalberto Martinez returned the ensuing kickoff to the Sage Hill 31 yard line. A run by Reyes moved the ball to the 21 yard line and then Antonio Ramos hit Martinez with a 21-yard touchdown pass with :40 left in the first quarter. Ramos and Martinez also connected for the point-after try to cut the lead to 21-14.
On Sage Hill’s ensuing possession, the Avalon defense was able to hold them to a short drive and force a punt. With a chance to tie the game, the Lancers moved the ball to the Lightning 35 yard line, on two big runs by Reyes. However, a 15-yard penalty put the Lancers in a long-yardage situation and Sage Hill was able to intercept a pass to end the drive.
Sage Hill would take advantage of the turnover and add to their lead with a long drive that ended with a touchdown pass for a 27-14 lead that they would take into halftime.
Avalon received the second-half kickoff, but the drive stalled.
Despite being in their own territory, but Lancers called a fake punt and a pass completion would have gained enough for a first down. However, a fumble at the end of the play was recovered by Sage Hill. Again, the Lightning capitalized with a scoring drive to push their lead to 33-14.
Avalon battled back after a penalty on the kickoff, they started their drive at the 40 yard line (midfield in 8-man football). A run by Jose Silva moved the ball to the 27 yard line and four plays later, Martinez broke free down the middle and Ramos hit him for a 21-yard touchdown pass that cut the lead to 33-22.
But Sage Hill would respond with another touchdown drive to extend the lead to 40-22. Avalon came back with a 65-yard touchdown drive that ended with Ramos hitting Martinez for his third touchdown reception of the game. A failed two-point conversion attempt left the Lancers trailing 40-28 and that would be as close as they would get.
Avalon earned a home playoff game to open the Eight-man CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs. They will host Riverside County Education Academy today at 5 p.m. a win would set up a second-round game, likely against top-seeded Windward School.
