HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

Placentia Valencia 19, Whittier 9--Trailing Whittier, 9-7, Rob Petko completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Ace Riggins in the final six minutes, 33 seconds of the fourth quarter that helped the Tigers win the right to defend their Division VI title.

Chris Draft’s 62-yard touchdown run in the final 1:47 of the game provided insurance as the Tigers beat Whittier, 19-9, in a semifinal game Saturday at Valenica High.

Valencia (10-3) plays Duarte (12-0) for the championship next Friday at a site to be determined.

“I knew Whittier would be a struggle. They played a solid eight-man front, man-to-man defense against our offense and we knew we had to throw,” said Valencia Coach Mike Marrujo.