Paloma Valley's last-second rally falls short, 28-27

Paloma Valley High’s bid for a second consecutive last-second victory fell short Thursday night in a 28-27 football loss at Hemet.

The Wildcats (5-4), who scored on the last play of the game to win their previous encounter, trailed for most of this one. But facing a 28-21 deficit in the final minutes, they blocked a field goal attempt to keep their hopes alive.

Paloma Valley then drove the length of the field to score on a 5-yard run by Keegan Kelly, and the Wildcats decided to go for the win with a two-point conversion attempt. It failed, but Paloma was to get one more chance at a victory.

The Wildcats recovered a Hemet fumble on their own 40-yard line with about a minute remaining. They got to the Hemet 26, but a Hail Mary pass was incomplete at the end of the game.

Quarterback Brady Nelson passed 3 yards to Arthur Clemons for Paloma Valley’s first touchdown. Hemet scored three straight TDs before the Wildcats’ Malik Griffin returned a fumble 26 yards for a score.

Paloma Valley finishes up the regular season next Friday with a home game against Lakeside.