Herr Comes Up With Play that Saves the Day for Irvine : Division II: Defensive back intercepts pass in end zone and Vaqueros hold on for 27-17 victory over Muir.

Quarterback Jason Minici said it all, with one fling of the arm. The senior watched the final second tick off the clock, then flung the football as high as he could.

The gesture added an exclamation point to Irvine’s 27-17 victory over Pasadena Muir Saturday in the semifinals of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

“We’re going to the show,” tackle Curt Cannon screamed.

Yes, the Vaqueros, a team that had never won a playoff game until this season, will play in the championship game. They will play South Coast League rival Dana Hills on Saturday.

To get there, Irvine (11-2) outlasted a quick and persistent Muir team. The Mustangs (8-5) matched the Vaqueros blow-for-blow in an offensive show for three quarters on a soggy field at Glendale High School.

Irvine, led by Minici and running back Scott Seal, rolled up 357 yards. Muir, a conservative run-until-they-drop team, had 326 yards, almost all of them on the ground.

Although neither side did much to stop the other, a defensive play preserved the Vaqueros’ victory.

Trailing, 20-17, midway through the fourth quarter, Muir drove to the Irvine eight. Quarterback Andy Colbert appeared to give the Mustangs the lead when he sprinted into the end zone, but the touchdown was nullified because of illegal motion.

One play later, Colbert threw a wobbly pass to Ron Jones in the end zone. It never got there.

Defensive back Aaron Herr stepped in front of Jones for the interception, his seventh of the season.

“I just turned around and the ball was right there,” Herr said. “Boy, that was a heart-stopper.”

Muir had one more chance, however, after Irvine was forced to punt with 3 minutes 40 seconds left. Saladin McCullough fielded the ball at the three, instead of letting it roll into the end zone for the touchback. He was immediately hit and fumbled and Chris Waite recovered for the clinching touchdown.

“We made the big plays when we had to,” Seal said.

Through most of the game, it was McCullough who made the big plays. He gained 150 yards in 24 carries and scored two touchdowns, one on a nifty 23-yard run during which he sidestepped two Irvine defenders simultaneously.

The Mustangs finished with 275 yards rushing.

“They pushed our defense around all night,” Henigan said.

Irvine did likewise, only with a more balanced attack.

Seal gained 129 yards in 29 carries. He also had a four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and the Vaqueros led, 14-10, at halftime.

Minici completed 11 of 15 passes for 160 yards, including an 11-yarder to Jon Peck for a touchdown in the first half. Minici also gained 68 yards rushing, including an 11-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that gave Irvine a 20-17 lead.

Wide receiver Danny Kang caught nine passes for 140 yards.

“Our offensive line was great,” Seal said. “We could do about anything we wanted to do.”