SOUTHERN SECTION ROUNDUP : Antelope Valley Upsets Bishop Amat, 13-10

Peter Holt’s 27-yard field goal on Antelope Valley High’s first play of a California tiebreaker gave the Antelopes a 13-10 upset of host Bishop Amat in the first round of the Southern Section Division I playoffs Friday night.

Bishop Amat began the tiebreaker, but standout running back Scott Fields, considered one of the best in the division, fumbled on the first play and Antelope Valley defensive back Freddie Edwards recovered at the two-yard line. Fields was playing on an injured ankle.

The Lancers (9-2) had an opportunity to break the 10-10 tie in the final minute of regulation, but Fields committed his second of three fumbles just before crossing the goal line. Edwards recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.

The Antelopes (7-4), co-champions of the Golden League, controlled the first three quarters, allowing Bishop Amat only 85 total yards. However, Lancer quarterback Mike Smith connected with receiver Art Cuellar for a 14-yard touchdown pass to tie the score with 4:12 left.

Edwards, who gained 106 yards in 22 carries, gave the Antelopes a 7-0 lead when he went over left tackle for a two-yard score late in the first quarter.

The Lancers cut the difference to four in the final minute of the half. After muffing an Antelope punt, Rodney Sermons picked it up and returned it 67 yards to the Antelope Valley 13. Four plays later, Matt Winecki made a 23-yard field goal.

Holt pushed the margin back to seven with a 29-yard field goal late in the third quarter.

The loss was the second in a row for the Lancers, who won the first nine games before dropping the Angelus League championship game to Mater Dei last week. It also marked only the second time since 1982 that Bishop Amat failed to reach the second round.

The Antelopes, co-champions of the Golden League, will meet Long Beach Wilson in a second-round game next Friday.