By Alex A. Gonzalez
(La Verne) – With the score tied at 14 in the first overtime of the CIF-SS Division 5 playoffs between the Bonita Bearcats and the Northview Vikings, Noah Mikhail punched in the go-ahead score from a yard out and was also a part of the Bearcats’ special team unit that blocked the Vikings point after attempt, sealing the 21-20 win at Glen Davis Stadium Friday Night.
“As a team, we got it down, and with that penalty that put us closer, I told my coach was going to get this,” said Mikhail after the game. “The linemen made some great blocks, and it was wide open, got right through the hole, and scored the touchdown.”
Just as in their previous matchup between the two schools back in week six of the regular season, neither team could find a way to create separation.
Northview was the first to strike first midway through the first quarter when Keanu Tauvao capped the four-play drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Bonita responded on their ensuing possession by using the passing attack that set them up for Cole Parra to carry the ball into the endzone from a yard out. Daniel Mielke II completed 5-7 passes for 85 yards on the drive, including a 26-yard completion to Ryder Cadam.
The Vikings were on their way to respond on their next drive, but then it was stopped because quarterback Erik Jimenez had to be taken out of the game due to an apparent leg injury and was transported to a local hospital.
Both squads were at a stalemate for the remainder of the first half and went into intermission tied at 7-7.
After the halftime festivities, the Bearcats and the Vikings traded punts throughout the third quarter. It was at the 2:06 mark of the game that Dylan Robinson hauled in Mielke’s pass, giving Bonita their first lead of the night.
However, that lead did not last, as the Vikings were able to tie the ball game up at 14 just after the fourth quarter started. Angel Barraza tied the ball game up after he took the handoff and bulldozed his way into the endzone from one yard out.
Before regulation ended, both squads had opportunities to take the lead before the final buzzer. Still, both penalties and miscues by the two stalled drives resulted in the game heading into overtime.
Bonita won the coin toss and elected to take possession of the ball first for the overtime possession. Mikhail’s 1-yard touchdown run up the middle gave his team the advantage.
Northview was able to score once they received possession of the ball. The team then optioned to go for a 2-point conversion and converted, but the score was called off because of a false start penalty by the Vikings.
With the ball spotted further away from the original line of scrimmage, they elected to go for the PAT, but a host of Bearcats blocked the kick, sealing the win for Bonita.
“I think we prepared well this week. I think we came out and did our thing,” said Mikhail postgame. “The scoreboard shows, and we got the dub.”
Congrats Bonita way to keep fighting. You were the better team out there. It went down to the wire…..Northview, “ICE UP Fellas”…..