SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION X FOOTBALL : Late Gamble Lifts Brethren Christian

ARTESIA — Keith Washington scored from four yards on a fourth-down gamble in the California tie-breaker overtime period to lead Brethren Christian to a 28-21 victory over Yucca Valley on Saturday night.

Brethren Christian (11-2) will travel to Van Nuys Birmingham High to meet top-seeded Division X Los Angeles Baptist (12-0) in the championship game at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The Warriors lost a coin flip after tying the score, 21-21, at the end of regulation, and were given the first chance to score on four plays from the 10.

Washington ran for three yards on the first play. Quarterback Reggie Davis was dropped for a one-yard loss, but on third down, Davis connected on a four-yard pass to Robert Kogler.

The Warriors elected to forgo the field-goal attempt to try for the touchdown with Washington getting in from the four.

Yucca Valley’s try to tie the score was halted on the first play from scrimmage. Joel Baptiste forced Josh Payseno to fumble and Jim DeWeese recovered for Brethren Christian.

Brethren Christian’s defense held Payseno, who entered the game with 2,279 yards rushing, to 64 yards in 25 carries. He scored all three Trojan touchdowns.

Brethren Christian scored first when Davis went into the end zone on a quarterback keeper from the four with 11:13 left in the second quarter.

After Payseno’s first touchdown, the Warriors took the lead with Davis’ 11-yard touchdown run with 2:16 left in the first half.

Washington scored the third Warrior touchdown on a nine-yard run with 3:31 left in the third quarter, before Yucca Valley tied the score early in the fourth quarter to force the tie-breaker.

The game was held up 25 minutes in the second quarter when Yucca Valley running back Derrick Tarrant reinjured his back and had to leave the game by ambulance.