CHULA VISTACHULA VISTA — What a difference a year makes.
Last season, a sad Francis Parker team left Otay Ranch High after a disappointing loss to Orange Glen in the Division V final. This year, junior Cito Miller’s field goal with less than 20 seconds to play gave the Lancers a much happier outcome.
Miller’s 27-yarder split the uprights from the right hash marks to give the Lancers a 24-21 victory Friday night in the San Diego Section Division V championship game.
“When we left here last year, I’ll be honest with you I was afraid we’d never be back,” said Parker football coach Matt Morrison. “It’s like a dream come true. I’m so proud of these kids and my coaches.”
The fourth-seeded Lancers (8-5) took the early lead in the rain. Trevor Brokowski’s 7-yard run with 1:31 left in the first quarter capped a 13-play, 77-yard scoring drive for a 7-0 lead.
No. 2 Castle Park (11-2) answered back late in the half. Completions of 13 and 23 yards from Demarkus Lewis to Chris Romero set up Erik Hernandez’s 12-yard score with 15 seconds left in the half to tie it 7-7 at intermission.
The Trojans took their first lead on their first possession of the second half. Hernandez took a handoff right, found a seam and raced 64 yards for his second TD of the night.
Parker answered back with 2:10 left in the third quarter when Gervy Alota found Chris White open behind the secondary on a 59-yard strike.
The Lancers retook the lead after a interception set up Parker at the Trojans 35. Two plays later Alota kept it to score from the 7 for a 21-14 lead.
Hernandez, who finished with 202 yards on 21 carries, tied it on his third TD of the game, going in from the 13 with 6:35 left in regulation.
Miller’s heroics capped the final 10-play drive to win the game.
Division V Championship
At Otay Ranch High
Francis Parker 24, Castle Park 21
Francis Parker——————-7 0 7 10 — 24
Castle Park————————7 7 7 0 — 21
First Quarter
FP—Brokowski 7 run (Miller kick).
Second Quarter
—Hernandez 12 run (Magana kick).
Third Quarter
—Hernandez 64 run (Magana kick).
FP—White 59 from Alota (Miller kick).
Fourth Quarter
FP—Alota 7 run (Miller kick).
—Hernandez 13 run (Miller kick).
FP—FG Miller 27.
Farmer is a freelance writer.
