Vindication, thy name is Garfield

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The wait is over. Garfield (11-3) can now shed any leftover memories of last year’s agonizing loss to Eagle Rock in the City Invitational championship game.

The 2007 title is headed to East L.A. after the second-seeded Bulldog’s 28-23 victory over 13th-seeded University (9-5) Friday in the Coliseum.

Garfield Coach Lorenzo Hernandez could not relax until the game’s final play, when Bulldogs quarterback Patrick Vargas ran into his own end zone for a safety as time expired, instead of risking a fourth-down punt. But Hernandez could also feel a sense of peace alongside his team’s elation.

‘I really wanted this for the kids,’ he said. ‘They worked hard, starting in February, to get back here. And they’ve earned it.... It’s been a long time since we’ve had a championship [1981]. I’m just glad I could be the person to get them here. It’s the great feeling I’ve always dreamed about.’

-- Mike Terry