MidValleySports.Com

Denzel Does It! San Dimas Saint Denzel Mitchell made the big plays on Friday night.

By Matt Schuler

(San Dimas)- Leading 28-24 with just over 9:00 to play, San Marino was working a nice drive into Saints Territory and looking composed to tack on another score and put the proverbial nail in the coffin. 

That was until the 11th play of the drive was picked off by Denzel Mitchell and three plays later punched in the 4-yard game winning touchdown with 6:48 to play and completed the 31-28 come-from-behind victory over San Marino.

It was the second consecutive season the Titans have been eliminated by the Saints.

“They’re (San Marino) a great football team,” said San Dimas Head Coach Bill Zernickow. “They don’t make many mistakes, but they did make some mistakes to help us out and our kids came fighting back.”

The game winning touchdown run was set up by a Josh Avila 54-yard burst of speed placing Mitchell inside the five.

The Saints (11-1), who came up with 4-interceptions, now travel north to take on top seeded Paraclete.

San Marino, who ends its season 10-2, actually had one last possession and opportunity for a equalizing field goal or a game winning touchdown but its 4th and 14 prayer thrown up to toward the end zone was picked off by Cody McNeal. McNeal came up with a big pass deflection two plays prior preventing a potential big play and touchdown.

“Absolutely ecstatic,” said Zernickow in reference to his emotions after the victory and another return to the semi-finals.

The Titans took a 21-10 lead on the second play of the the second half after quarterback Matt Wofford burst through the line and into the endzone on a electric 65-yard  display of speed. SM was also ahead 28-17 late in the third before letting the lead slip out of its grasp.

Defense allowed the Saints to erase an 11-point deficit twice after giving up a 21 straight points.

Mitchell Giles picked off a Woffard pass and brought it back to the 11, letting Payton finish the job making it 21-17.

After a Andrew Espinoza 46-yard touchdown bridged the gap 28-24, Mitchell came up with the game saving highlight sequence of the night.

“He’s done a good job,” said Zernickow. “Every week he’s starting to pick it up for us and we’re real happy with his progress”.

San Dimas took a 10-0 lead after an early Jake Payton 9-yard touchdown run and a 28-yard field off the foot of Eric Ware.

Payton finished with two touchdowns, but it was Espinoza who stole the show for the Saints and looked like a thief running away with football past Titan defenders.

Espinoza averaged 37-yards a carry, finishing with 187 yards on only five touches.

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