Short Muir Field Goal Lets Banning Escape With Tie

Another City title may be in Banning High School’s future, but a mythical state or national championship may be out of the question after the Pilots held on to tie Muir, 7-7, Saturday night at Pasadena City College.

It could have been worse.

Muir kicker Thad Culpepper’s 36-yard field goal attempt with three seconds left fell about a yard short.

The play was one of only three scares in the final five minutes for Banning (1-0-1), which entered ranked No. 1 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports. With 4:42 left, Culpepper’s 42-yard field goal attempt was deflected by John Herrera.

After Culpepper’s second miss in the final seconds, the Pilots had one last play. Quarterback John Ma’ae fired a desperation pass downfield. Muir’s Terry White intercepted at his own 45 and ran it all the way back to the Pilot 19 before he was caught and the clock ran out.

Muir’s Andre Devizen scored on a three-yard run to give the Mustangs, 2-0-1 and ranked No. 1 in the Southern Section Division II, a 7-0 lead on the first drive of the game.

Ma’ae tied it in the second quarter on a three-yard scramble of his own.