MidValleySports.Com

Southeast Division Champs!!!

(Fullerton) – Frankie Palmer found Matthew Rosales for an 19 yard touchdown pass in the second overtime to give La Serna a 41-38 win over Norwalk Saturday night and claim the Southeast Division championship. For Palmer and La Serna it was especially sweet as they were appearing in their third consecutive Southeast title game after falling short in the previous two.

Third time was the charm for Frankie “Football”

La Serna’s score came after Norwalk’s Jorge Perez booted a 21 yard field goal to give Norwalk a 38-35 advantage. The play came on a fourth and four as La Serna Coach Margarito Beltran elected to go for broke rather than kick for the tie.

“I wanted to give them a chance to win it,” Beltran said.

Palmer looked like he was trapped in the backfield but scrambled to his left, then came back to his right and found a wide open Rosales in the corner of the endzone. Rosales made the catch and fell into the end zone. The La Serna side erupted and the proverbial monkey was finally off La Serna’s back.

“I found my best receiver and my best friend,” Palmer said.

The game was tied at 29 after regulation. Jacob Carr scored on a one yard keeper to give Norwalk a 35-29 lead in the first overtime but the extra point was missed. La Serna was on the verge of victory after Palmer scored on a two yard run but Alexander Vasquez’ extra point was blocked by Rashaad Penny giving Norwalk life.

It ended on the second possession however when Norwalk had to settle for a field goal after a facing a fourth down at the three. La Serna and Palmer then took full advantage on the ensuing series.

It looked like La Serna was the team on life support after Penny scored on a 61-yard run with 7:10 left in the fourth quarter to put Norwalk up 29-21. On La Serna’s next possession, the Lancers went for it on fourth and nine from their own 22 and failed.

Norwalk marched down to the La Serna four yard line and looked to put the nail in the coffin as Perez lined up for an apparent 21 yard field goal. Then the game took a dramatic turn. Perez’ boot was blocked by Tony Ceron and bounced right into the waiting arms of Kevin Ramos who raced 95 yards for the score. Palmer ran in the two point conversion and suddenly with 2:57 left it was 29-29 instead of 32-21 Norwalk.

“The Lord works in mysterious ways,” Palmer said smiling.

***Before busting off the 61 yard touchdown run Penny had been held in check on the ground rushing for just 53 yards. He finished with 124 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.

***Penny also had three catches for 84 yards and three touchdowns. Carr connected with him for a 35 yard pass in the first quarter to give Norwalk a 6-0 advantage. In the third quarter Penny hauled in an 18-yard pass from Carr and Carr’s two point run on the conversion gave Norwalk a 22-21 lead.

***There were six lead changes in the game. La Serna led 21-14 at the half and Norwalk was up 22-21 after three.

***With the game tied at 14 late in the second quarter, a bad Norwalk snap on a punt attempt left La Serna with a first down at the Norwalk ten. Two plays later Palmer scored on a four yard run with 32 seconds left in the second as La Serna took the seven point into the break.

***La Serna took a 7-6 lead in the first on three yard run by Palmer. Penny scored on a one-yard run to cap a short 40-yard march in the second quarter. Christopher Walker scored on a two point run for a 14-7 lead.

***Ramos’ eight-yard run in the in the second finished a 71 yard drive later in the second to tie it at 14 before the Norwalk bad snap led to La Serna’s half time lead.

***Palmer had three touchdowns on the ground while running for 93 yards. He threw for 171 yards and and the game winning score with no interceptions.

***Rosales, Palmer’s main target,  had six catches for 89 yards and the game winner.

***Matthew Ortega rushed for 57 yards for Norwalk to complement Penny.

***Each team turned the ball over twice. La Serna lost two fumbles and Norwalk’s Carr was intercepted twice.

***What two are you talking about? I already forgot about the other two. I’m only thinking about this one,” said La Serna’s Beltran about the three straight Finals appearances.

***Penny, besides catching passes, running the ball, playing defense and blocking kicks, was also the punter for Norwalk. He also injured his ankle in the overtime session.

***Both Beltran and Norwalk HC Jesse Ceniceros were both wearing shorts despite temperatures that dipped into the high thirties.

***Nearly 8,000 fans packed the stands at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium.

***”The game seemed to be a game of momentum. They had it and then we had it. It was back and forth. Just a great game,” Beltran said.

***It was Norwalk’s first loss of the season as it ended the season 13-1. La Serna finished 12-2 and with a nine game winning streak.