Cleveland Short-Circuits Taft, 28-26

It was a thrilling ending to a magical regular season for Cleveland High.

When defensive tackle Jesse Johnson and linebacker Dameon Haley converged at the goal line to drop tailback Lee Marks of Taft and prevent a two-point conversion with 46 seconds left, it was the final contribution needed to push the Cavaliers to a share of their first league championship since 1977.

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” said co-coach Bill Paden after the Cavaliers held on for a 28-26 victory over Taft on Friday night at Cleveland, forcing a three-way tie for first place in the West Valley League.

Tailback James Bethea, running like a blur, rushed for a career-high 282 yards in 30 carries and scored three touchdowns to help the Cavaliers (6-4, 4-1 in league play) go from last place one year ago to first place with Taft (5-5, 4-1) and Granada Hills (8-2, 4-1).

“With this coaching staff, we can do anything,” Bethea said. “It doesn’t get any better than this. I’ve been here for three years, and to go from the bottom of the barrel to the top and beat a team like Taft is unbelievable.”

After Cleveland took a 7-6 halftime lead, the game turned into an individual battle between Bethea and quarterback Brandon Hance of Taft.

Whichever team had the ball would end up scoring.

Taft got it first in the second half. Touchdown. Then Cleveland got the ball. Touchdown. Then Taft. Touchdown. Then Cleveland. Touchdown.

The Cavaliers’ final score on a 13-yard run by Bethea with 4:37 left gave them an eight-point cushion. But nothing is safe with Hance on the field.

Hance put together a 65-yard, eight-play scoring drive, diving in from the two with 46 seconds left. Hance completed five of five passes on the drive for 60 yards. The game would have gone into overtime if not for Johnson and Haley stepping forward to halt Marks on a sweep play.

Hance completed 20 of 30 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for three touchdowns.

Taft’s defense is not known for stopping the run, and Cleveland wisely kept the ball on the ground throughout the second half, throwing only one pass.

Bethea, who leaves today on a recruiting trip to California, is one of the region’s fastest players, but it is his improved strength that has enabled him to gain more than 100 yards in nine of 10 games and amass 1,806 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns.

“I think I’ve become the total package this year,” he said.

It has been a dream season for many of Cleveland’s seniors who endured a 2-8 record in 1998.

Under first-year coaches Paden and Steve Landress, the Cavaliers are a revitalized group.

“Finally, we have something to be proud of,” Paden said. “These kids have worked their butts off.”

It took Cleveland a little more than two minutes to move 81 yards on its opening drive. Six consecutive running plays overwhelmed the Toreadors. Bethea scored on a three-yard run for a 7-0 lead.

Taft closed to 7-6 with 2:37 left before halftime by taking advantage of a fumbled punt. Hance scored on a two-yard run.

There was surprisingly little first-half scoring from high-powered offenses.

Hance faced a strong rush that limited him to 85 yards passing.