Final: Miller 18, Redlands East Valley 15

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Miller stays undefeated (8-0) with a 18-15 victory over Redlands East Valley (7-1) and has a good chance to claim the Citrus Belt League title. It the first time since 2001 that the Rebels defeated the Wildcats.

Redlands East Valley tried some last-minute heroics to make the game interesting, though. Wildcats quarterback Tyler Shreve connected with wide receiver Gary Walker on a 30-yard touchdown pass with 1:08 remaining. Shreve found Walker in the end zone for the two-point conversion, making it 18-15. The Wildcats tried an onside kick, but Miller’s Jonathan Koop recovered the ball at the 42-yard line.

Ultimately, too many fumbles and too many penalties negated REV’s chances. Meanwhile, Miller continually sustained the defensive pressure.

Miller tacked down its last touchdown of the game two plays after forcing a fumble in the red zone with 9:05 left in the fourth quarter. REV sophomore Steffan Kirkland intercepted Juan Flores’ pass on a first and 10 from the 28-yard line. But Miller forced a fumble and recovered the ball at the eight-yard line. Two plays later, Flores ran in the end zone off a five-yard quarterback draw for a 18-7 lead. The Rebels missed the extra point.

I’ll have a game story for Varsity Times after getting quotes and filing for the paper edition.

--Mark Medina