Vista Murrieta Broncos Seal Division Title With 35-28 Win

The crowd chanted, "I believe we will win, I believe we will win!"

With more than 7,000 in attendance Friday night at Bronco Stadium for the CIF Southern Section Inland Division Championship Game, Vista Murrieta was four minutes away from another title game loss against six-time defending champions, Corona Centennial High School.

Trailing for the first time in the game by a score of 27-28, junior quarterback Nick Stevens took his team on a game-winning drive.

With 34 seconds on the clock, Coach Coley Candaele called a quarterback draw to get field-goal kicker Tyler Rausa a little closer, hoping for a game-winning field goal.

Stevens faked a hand-off to the running back with 26 seconds left. Instead, he ran the ball himself for a 30-yard touchdown. He then executed a two-point conversion, sealing a 35-28 victory for the Broncos in their first CIF championship in school history.

"I was setting up for a pass but I saw a lot of green and ran as if my life depended on it," Stevens said.

For the night, Stevens brought 109 passing yards and 97 rushing yards for three touchdowns.

Junior wide receiver Su'a Cravens, who pulled off a two-touchdown game with 32 rushing yards and 16 receiving yards, was speechless following the game.

"All I can say is it was a great game," Cravens said.

"We weren't going to lose this three times in a row," Cravens told reporters.

"I want to cry right now," he said.

Defensive back and wide receiver Darion Williams, who came through with an interception, receiving touchdown, punt block and sack, was reluctant to take all the glory.

That's why he told reporters he wanted Nicholas Chase to take the pass on the Broncos' two-point conversion attempt.

"I just didn't want me to have all the glory. I wanted to share it and Nick did it," Williams said.

"I was amazed when Nick (Stevens) did that," Williams added, about Stevens' game-saving run. "He took it into his own hands. He played like a senior."

"(We are) a force to be reckoned with."

Candaele beamed like a proud father.

"What a relief," Candaele said to Fox Sports broadcasters about the game that was televised across Southern California.

"After being here three times and then finally getting one, it is a relief...there was some doubt there at the end, so we are really happy," Candaele said.

As to whether the Broncos have a chance at being selected to play in the CIF state bowl game, Candaele said: "We are 14-0 on the field and these kids have no control over that. They deserve what they deserve."

Broncos' record shows 9-5 after

The bowl game teams are expected to be announced Sunday.

Check back for more photos and a full game recap.