Kaiser Stops Serrano, 28-21

Giving up a couple of touchdowns by halftime didn’t indicate much of a defensive effort by Fontana Kaiser in the Southern Section Division VIII championship football game Saturday night, so the Cats decided to do something about it.

Kaiser’s defense scored a touchdown midway through the third quarter to help secure a 28-21 victory over Phelan Serrano at Fontana High.

It is the first section title in any sport for the three-year-old school.

Kaiser (13-0-1) clung to a 21-14 lead when Omar Alvarez stepped in front of a pass from Jon Edmiston and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown.

“I got it when it counted the most,” Alvarez said. “I keyed the fullback the whole way, then took it to the house.”

It was one of three interceptions for Kaiser, which came into the game having allowed only 438 yards rushing this season. Chris Vega, who had 2,385 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns before Saturday, was held to 31 yards in 21 carries.

Vega did score on a four-yard run with 8 minutes 16 seconds left to cut the deficit to 28-21, but Kaiser’s defense again stepped up after the offense lost a fumble near midfield, forcing Serrano (13-1) to punt with 4:42 left.

Kaiser was twice on the verge of adding to its 6-0 lead in the first half, but Serrano defensive end Devin Blakely intercepted a pass in the end zone to end one threat. On the first play of the second quarter, running back Allen Wade fumbled at the Serrano five. Cheyne Nelson picked up the ball and ran it back 95 yards for a 7-6 lead.

Kaiser moved back ahead, 14-7, on a five-yard run by Kevin Mafua and a two-point conversion run by Marcus McCliman with 5:17 left in the half.

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