Patterson's James Santana barely missed a 35 yard field goal that would of tied the game in the final seconds , as Modesto Christian escaped with a gut wrenching win over a tough Patterson high school squad that gave the Crusaders all they could handle and then some, in the other Sac-Joaquin section Div. 5 Playoffs. Modesto Christian will get what it wants. A revenge battle with Central Catholic at University of Pacific Amos Stagg Stadium.
The Crusader's are hoping to gain revenge for the 85-6 beat down Central administered to them at last years Championship.
My words of warning would be " be careful what you wish for ". Central Catholic and section leading scorer Luis Bland are operating on all cylanders. M.C. , ranked 5th in Cal-hi Sports Division 4 state rankings took a 37-34 lead when Ruben Torres scored from 6 yards out with only 32 seconds left and
Chad Sargent kicked his only extra point conversion out of 6 on the night.
Three passes and a pass interference penalty and Patterson was at the 18 with 4 seconds left. After making 4 of his 5 PAT kicks, Santana having to kick from the left hash mark, pushed the potential game tying kick a little to the right.
The game was an exciting back and forth affair. Trailing early in the 4th quarter 30-20 Patterson cut the defecit to 30-27 on a 1 yard sneek by QB Daniel Reza after Robby Samano returned a punt 39 yards to the one.
The Tigers then stunned the Crusaders, going 75 yards in just 4 plays. The payoff coming back on a fantastic one handed catch by Mariano Ortega in
the back of the endzone. Santana's PAT made it 34-30 Patterson.
Then M.C. 's QB Jesse White led The Crusaders on a drive that would save their undefeated season and secure that rematch with Central Catholic.
He hit Sargent for 16 yards to their own 40, then completed a 23 yarder down the middle to matt Sudfeld. Ten he hit Zack Sudfeld with a 14 yard pass to the Tiger's 14 . White then ran 8 yards to the 6 with 35 seconds left.Torres then bolted in and Sargent made his only PAT to make it 37-34. No time to celebrate this one with the "Game " with Central Catholic looming next week.
