On fourth-and-goal from the five-yard line, St. Monica got a stopped the Santa Clarita Christian Cardinals to seal the 28-21 victory on Saturday night.
The Cardinals erased a 14-0 halftime deficit in the third quarter, setting up a dramatic ending.
“We let the game get more interesting than it should have been,” said St. Monica coach Adam Guerra.
But Nick Pegnato was the difference. After the Mariners forced a three-and-out on the Cardinals 10-yard line, Zach Llorens blocked the Cardinal punt and Pegnato scooped up the ball in the end zone to put the Mariners up 21-14.
Then, after Christian drove on the Mariner defense and tied the game again, Pegnato raced 80 yards for a score to put St. Monica up to set up the final goal line stand.
St. Monica will host homecoming against St. Anthony at St. Bernard field next Saturday night.
