It was almost Miller’s time

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Turns out, if everything proceeds as scheduled, the difference between first and second place in the Citrus Belt League will also be less than 10 feet. That’s how close Fontana Miller came to defeating Redlands East Valley in a Citrus Belt League game Friday night at University of Redlands.

Miller (8-1, 5-1) scored a touchdown with 37 seconds left against the favored Wildcats, pulling the Rebels within a point. Coach Jeff Steinberg said he thought he had a better chance of beating REV (9-0, 6-0) right then with a two-point conversion, rather than slug it out in overtime. Miller’s fleet-footed quarterback, A.J. Springer, dropped back to pass but was sacked, allowing the Wildcats to escape with a 28-27 victory.

Last week, Chaparral (6-3, 3-1) went for two late in its Southwestern League game against Vista Murrieta (9-0, 4-0). With the potential league title in the balance, quarterback Tyler Hansen dropped a sure two-point conversion pass from his running back and Vista Murrieta won, 21-20. The result has grown in significance because Hansen led Chaparral to a 24-21 come-from-behind victory Friday over visiting Temescal Canyon (6-3, 2-2), keeping the Pumas a game behind Vista Murrieta.

I can envision the game between Norco (8-1, 2-0) and Corona Centennial (8-1, 2-0) ending in a smimlar fashion Friday night when they get together to determine the Mountain View League champion. Not a prediction, just a possibility.

-- Dan Arritt

-- Image from www.citrus-gift-baskets.com