Crescenta Valley Has the Final Say

Seth Santoro made a 42-yard field goal as time expired to lift Crescenta Valley to a 17-16 victory over Franklin in a nonleague game at Glendale High on Saturday night.

For nearly 45 minutes, Crescenta Valley’s offense was nonexistent.

Trailing, 16-6, with just over three minutes remaining, Crescenta Valley (2-0) used a little trickery to get back into the game.

After a reverse handoff from Kenny Pritchett, Chris Oliver completed an 84-yard touchdown pass to Nate Barber.

Barber used one of the officials to shield off several would-be Franklin tacklers on his run.

Pritchett then completed a two-point conversion pass to Mark Kier in the back of the end zone to make it 16-14.

Franklin (1-1) attempted to run out the final three minutes but could not because of several holding penalties.

The Falcons’ final possession started at their 31 with 58 seconds left.

Two pass interference penalties on the Panthers and a clutch catch by Kier on a third-down play moved the ball into Franklin territory.

Crescenta Valley attempted a pass to Barber with 19 seconds left. Barber was tackled at the 25, but because the Falcons had no timeouts left, time nearly ran out.

Santoro was able to spike the ball with one second remaining to set up his winning kick.

“Our offensive coordinator said the slant was open,” Crescenta Valley Coach Alan Eberhart said. “If it didn’t work he said we had time to spike it.

“Turns out he was one second right. If he had been one second wrong I would have probably got another coordinator.”

Crescenta Valley’s victory helped avenge a 20-19 loss to Franklin last season when a two-point conversion failed with 13 seconds left.

Pritchett, the Falcons’ standout running back, had 60 yards in 14 attempts and he also added a 34-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Franklin led, 16-0, on two touchdown receptions by Chris Jauregui. The plays covered 19 and 23 yards.

Crescenta Valley was held to 41 yards in the first half. The Falcons finished with 205 yards.