Royal Puts Top Team in a Fog, 13-12 : Channel Islands Falls in Last Minute
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A thick layer of fog rolled in during the last minute of the Marmonte League game between Royal High and Channel Islands on Saturday night at Hueneme High, and it served as a 12th man for the Highlanders.
With 29 seconds remaining and the fog so thick it was impossible to see more than 10 yards, Royal quarterback Pat Ledesma did the impossible, throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jason Jones to give the Highlanders a 13-12 upset of Channel Islands, the No. 1-ranked team in the Valley area.
“I told the kids to play this game for someone they each loved, either dead or alive,” first-year Royal Coach Gene Uebelhardt said.
Royal had led the entire game until Raider fullback Jerry Williams scored on a 12-yard run with 56 seconds remaining to give Channel Islands a 12-7 lead. Quarterback Vince Medina’s pass for a 2-point conversion fell short of his receiver.
On the ensuing kickoff, the fog moved in and Jones returned a reverse handoff from the 10-yard line, weaving his way through Raider defenders until he tripped at the Channel Islands’ 25, setting up his game-winning catch 2 plays later.
Channel Islands (7-2, 4-1) must defeat Thousand Oaks (5-0 in league play) next week for a share of the league title.
Royal (4-5, 3-2) took a 7-0 lead into intermission on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Ledesma to Jones, who had 3 receptions for 98 yards.
Royal defensive back Batron Hardy intercepted a Medina pass at the Highlander 5-yard line to stop a first-quarter drive. The Royal defensive front stopped another Raider drive on fourth and 4 at the Royal 7 in the second quarter.
Ledesma rushed for 63 yards in 19 carries and completed 7 of 20 passes for 119 yards.
Channel Islands cut the Royal lead to 7-6 in the third quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Medina to Rick Eckert. The snap on the conversion was fumbled.
Williams gained 104 yards in 15 carries and scored a touchdown. Raider tailback John Johnson rushed for 75 yards in 15 carries, and Medina completed 9 of 16 for 171 yards and a touchdown. He threw 2 interceptions.
