Alemany defeats Bishop Amat, 38-30

Mission Hills Alemany secured the Serra League’s top spot in the Pac-5 Division playoffs with a 38-30 victory Friday over defending champion La Puente Bishop Amat, thanks to a quick-strike offense that featured senior quarterback Vernon Adams, who completed 15 of 18 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 19 carries for 70 yards and one touchdown.

The game wasn’t decided until Warriors junior defensive back Deron Smith intercepted Rio Ruiz’s pass on Bishop Amat’s 42-yard line with 2:08 remaining.

“All I could think about was making a play,” Smith said, “and get the ball back to our offense so we could win the game.”

Alemany (10-0, 4-0), ranked No. 5 by The Times, demonstrated that most notably when they trailed, 17-14, with 44 seconds remaining in the first half.

The Warriors manufactured a five-play, 72-yard drive thanks to quick passes and efficient clock management. It ended with Steven Mitchell’s four-yard touchdown reception from Adams, giving the Warriors a 21-17 lead following the extra point with 17.7 seconds remaining.

Senior kicker Martin Meza then recovered the fumble at Bishop Amat’s 38-yard line with 13.2 seconds left after his kick bounced off the right knee of the Lancers’ Sal Velasquez.

From there, Adams connected with junior wide receiver Jerico Richardson for a 38-yard touchdown pass, widening the Warriors’ lead to 28-17 after the extra point with 2.4 seconds remaining.

The euphoria proved short lived when Warriors junior wide receiver Daniel Serrato lay on the field for 32 minutes with 11:54 left in the third quarter, with Coach Dean Harrington saying his left leg felt numb. Though he was taken away on an ambulance, he’s believed to be fine considering he showed movement and talked. Alemany followed the delay with a nine-play, 78-yard drive ending in Adams’ 14-yard touchdown run that gave the Warriors a 35-17 lead with 8:50 left in the third quarter.

Bishop Amat (9-1, 3-1), ranked No. 8 by The Times, stayed in contention, though.

The Lancers held Alemany scoreless in the fourth quarter and junior running back Jalen Moore finished with 23 carries for 116 yards and three touchdowns.

—Mark Medina

Quick hits

Terrence Williams scored on a lateral on the final play that covered 66 yards to lift Encino Crespi (7-3, 2-2) to a 34-28 Serra League victory over host Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (2-8, 1-3) Nick Isham threw four touchdown passes in the first half as No. 7 Westlake Village Westlake (9-1, 8-1) built a 42-0 halftime lead en route to a big 56-6 victory over host Calabasas (3-7, 2-7) in a Marmonte League finale Richie Harrington completed 10 of 16 passes for 96 yards and five touchdowns — to five receivers — as No. 10 Westlake Village Oaks Christian (8-2, 8-1) defeated visiting Agoura (3-7, 1-8) in a Marmonte League finale, 59-17.