Welch Wins 100th Game in Stunning Fashion, 21-20

A taut, emotional Southern Section Division I quarterfinal ended in high drama Friday night as Canyon’s Rob Landtiser blocked a 33-yard field-goal attempt by Bishop Amat’s Steve Molina with 58 seconds to play to preserve a 21-20 Canyon win in front of an overflow crowd of about 4,000 at Canyon High.

The block left Canyon an upset victor, spilled Cowboy bodies all over the sideline and propelled the Cowboys into the semifinals against Loyola, a 10-7 winner over Fontana.

It also gave Coach Harry Welch win No. 100 in nine years at Canyon. Welch announced his resignation from coaching earlier this season.

“This one ranks at the top,” Welch said between hugs from a crowded field of admirers. “At the top.”

Canyon (11-1) had taken its first lead of the game midway through the fourth quarter when senior tailback David McDivitt, lined up as a fullback, burst through a stacked line and sprinted 62 yards for a touchdown. Matt George’s extra point made it 21-20 with 6:52 to play.

But Bishop Amat, prompted by a large and loud group of fans, began to drive. In 12 plays, junior tailback Scott Fields carried 10 times for 55 yards. The march finally stalled at the 11-yard line, setting the stage for Molina, who already had made field goals of 27 and 41 yards. A delay of game penalty on Bishop Amat (9-2) made it a 33-yard attempt.

Enter Landtiser.

He scurried in from the right side, freed up by penetration from Rick Johnstad and Billy Sivley, and deflected the ball. It fell harmlessly to the turf near the goal line, and bedlam ensued.

A flag thrown by the referee signaled roughing the kicker, but after a line judge confirmed to him that the kick was, indeed, blocked, the flag was waved off. Canyon had its upset.

The touchdown run by McDivitt, who had 128 yards in 12 carries, came when all momentum appeared to be with Bishop Amat. With a 20-14 lead, the Lancers were driving convincingly. But on a simple pitch play, Jason Patterson fumbled. John Doherty recovered at Bishop Amat’s 36-yard line and McDivitt scored two plays later. Up to that point, Welch admitted, it had looked to be Bishop Amat’s game.

“Are you kidding?” the jubilant coach said. “The ulcer was eating away at the ulcer.”

But any ulcers were to be Bishop Amat’s on this night. Despite Fields’ 148 yards in 33 carries, Canyon advances to the semifinals for the eighth consecutive season.

“Isn’t that something?” Welch said, beaming.

Bishop Amat scored first on a one-yard run by Patterson after recovering a muffed punt at Canyon’s 30-yard line. McDivitt tied the score on the next drive, capping a 78-yard drive with a nifty 28-yard touchdown run with 7:32 left in the half. Bishop Amat then went 51 yards in three plays to take a 14-7 lead.

Canyon answered rapidly, going 73 yards in five plays, the key play a 36-yard draw by quarterback Kevin Bialas. That set up a short pass to Jim Zopelis, whose body fake past a Lancer cornerback enabled him to scurry for a 22-yard touchdown that tied the score, 14-14.

Molina’s 41-yard field goal with 1:03 left in the half gave Bishop Amat a 17-14 lead.