SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFF ROUNDUP : Vargas’ Run Lifts Lompoc Over Arroyo Grande

Fullback Manuel Vargas ran 27 yards for a touchdown with seven seconds remaining in the third quarter to lift Lompoc High to a 12-7 victory over Arroyo Grande in the Southern Section Division VII final Friday night at San Luis Obispo before 9,000.

Vargas’ run capped a 72-yard drive in 12 plays. The key play in the drive was a 24-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jarrod DeGeorgia to running Napolean Kaufman.

The victory ended 21 years of frustration for Lompoc (13-1) in Southern Section championship games. It has reached the final seven times since its first appearance in 1970.

Kaufman, rated as one of the top three prep running backs in the nation, was held to 84 yards in 20 carries. He finished the season with 1,953 yards in 207 carries. He scored 28 rushing touchdowns and had 34 overall.

Vargas had 66 yards in 13 carries.

Lompoc opened the scoring in the first quarter on an 80-yard punt return by Jerome Hunt. The Eagles took a 7-6 lead on a 13-yard pass from Clayton Millis to Adam Camacho in the second quarter to end a 70-yard, 10-play drive.

Arroyo Grande (11-2) played the game without standout junior running back Clemente Sainten, who twisted a knee in last week’s semifinal game against Serra. He finished with 1,371 yards and 33 touchdowns.