Photos by Leonel Naranjo
Football:
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Upland did something on Friday night that no one had accomplished all season.
They held Yorba Linda to single digits in scoring.
Unfortunately for the Highlanders, Jayden Flaig booted a 42-yard field goal with two seconds to play, and the Mustangs defeated UHS, 9-6, in the championship game of the CIF-SS Division 3 playoffs.
It almost looked like the game was destined for overtime.
But with less than 30 seconds to play and the ball near the 50, Yorba Linda quarterback Reyn Beal tossed the ball to Wyatt Mosier near the Upland 3-yard line, and the Highlanders were flagged for an obvious pass interference call.
After the penalty was marched off, and a couple short pass attempts later, Jayden Flaig came out and ended Upland’s season.
The YLHS field goal wasn’t Flaig’s only consequential contribution.
Standing deep in the east end zone, and with the game tied at 6-6 in the fourth quarter, a Flaig punt ended up being downed at the UHS 19-yard line.
The game’s other dramatic moment also took place in the fourth quarter.
Upland quarterback Noah Sandoval looked to have given the Highlanders’ a 12-6 lead on an 87-yard TD pass.
But as the UHS players and fans were celebrating, a ref back at the line of scrimmage summoned everyone back because of a holding call.
As mentioned, Upland not only kept a great YLHS offense in check, they held the Mustangs to 15 points less than any of Yorba Linda’s previous 13 opponents.
William Saucedo, the heart and soul of their ground game, gave YLHS a 6-0 first-quarter lead, as the senior fought his way into the west end zone from one yard out.
The extra-point attempt was blocked, and YLHS would take the 6-0 lead into the third quarter.
Upland’s Rickey Allen would get Upland even after his 12-yard TD run.
The Highlanders failed on their extra-point attempt, as a bad snap threw the timing off, and the game remained deadlocked until Flaig’s heroics.
Saucedo carried the ball 14 times for a game-high 108 yards and the one score.
Jason Escovar gained 31 yards on five carries.
Beal completed 13-of-19 for 137 yards.
Dylan Gardner totaled five receptions for 67 yards, and JJ Conrad caught three passes for 26 yards.
Upland’s Sandoval was 10-of-16 for 98 yards.
Allen carried the ball 23 times for 74 yards and his one TD run.
Up next: While Upland’s season ended Friday night, Yorba Linda will host Liberty of Bakersfield (11-2) in the CIF State Division 1A So Cal Regional.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention just how hard and well Coach Darryl Thomas’ program played tonight, and throughout the 2022 season.
The boys in green represented their school and the program very well.
To view some photos from Leonel Naranjo, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook
Box Score:
YL: 6-0-0-3-(9)
U: 0-0-6-0-(6)
Scoring:
YL: William Saucedo 1 run (kick blocked)
U: Rickey Allen 12 run (bad snap/kick failed)
YL: Jayden Flaig 42 FG
Records: Yorba Linda (14-0); Upland (9-5)
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