Football: San Fernando pulls out 34-32 victory in City Section Division II final

A fumble with 3:46 left gave San Fernando new life on Friday night in the City Section Division II championship game. And quarterback Cristian Solano took advantage, driving the Tigers 86 yards in six plays for a game-winning touchdown by freshman Alex Gonzalez on a seven-yard run with 2:02 left for a 34-32 victory over South Gate at East Los Angeles College.

South Gate (9-5) scored 18 consecutive points in the second half to wipe out a 28-14 halftime deficit and take a 32-28 lead with 7:19 left on a two-yard TD run by Terrell Goins.

The Rams were going in for a possible clinching score when a botched handoff was recovered by the Tigers on their own 14-yard line.

“They didn’t give up on me like I didn’t give up on them. That’s what a Tiger is made of,” said Solano, who completed 18 of 26 passes for 284 yards and one touchdown. He also scored a touchdown. Charles Bell had an 80-yard kickoff return and an 18-yard TD reception. Gonzalez had two TD runs.

Lavell Thompson rushed for 127 yards and scored two touchdowns for South Gate. Goins ran for two touchdowns.

San Fernando finishes 14-0 and wins a second consecutive Division II title. Solano, a Nevada commit, ended his senior year running into the stands to hug his mother and father. He passed for 4,154 yards and 43 touchdowns and ran for 1,390 yards and 23 touchdowns.

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