Monarchs Hold on for Title : Preps: Morningside’s Stais Boseman leads way in 27-20 victory over Temecula Valley in Division VIII championship game.

Morningside won its first Southern Section football title in school history Saturday night by defeating Division VIII champion Temecula Valley, 27-20.

Playing in front of 4,500, the Monarchs withstood a last-minute drive that ended at the Morningside 10-yard line.

As it was during the season, the Monarchs were led by quarterback Stais Boseman, who threw for one touchdown, ran for another and set up a third with a long return. Morningside also had clutch defensive performances from Jesse Swayze and Montre Gords. Swayze recovered a fumble at the Monarch one and Gords intercepted a fourth-quarter pass in the end zone.

“We did what we did all year,” Boseman said. “We controlled the ball and made all the big plays.”

Boseman completed only three of 12 passes for 60 yards, but finished with a game-high 146 rushing yards. Gords added 95 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Temecula Valley had no trouble moving the ball, finishing with 356 total yards. But the Monarch defense made the big play when needed.

“We had to stay focused tonight, but that’s what we had to do all year,” Morningside Coach Ron Tatum said. “We knew that this was a football game we could win. Our guys showed a lot of courage coming in here and beating these guys in their home.”

With the score tied, 20-20, early in the fourth quarter, Morningside moved 80 yards in 14 plays to take the lead. Boseman scored the game-winner on a one-yard run.

Both teams moved the ball successfully in the first half, as Morningside went ahead, 20-13, at halftime.

Tailback Gords scored on a three-yard and 28-yard run. Boseman passed 28 yards to Keith Long and set up another touchdown with a 51-yard kickoff return.

Temecula Valley tailback Eugene Wall carried 24 times for 135 yards.