Santa Rosa defense holds, team wins playoff opener, 24-20

Santa Rosa's Wyatt Spykstra looks up after making the final tackle in his team's defensive stand. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

Santa Rosa Academy rallied to take the lead in the third quarter, then used a goal-line stand on defense to hold on for a 24-20 victory over Rancho Alamitos Friday night in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 14 football playoffs.

Rancho Alamitos (7-4) took a 7-0 lead into the third quarter before Santa Rosa Academy (7-4) began to take charge. The Rangers took the lead for good at 8-7 on a touchdown and two-point conversion early in the third quarter. Then in the last minute of that quarter, they scored again on a rushing play and added a two-point conversion for a 16-7 lead.

Rancho Alamitos wasn't finished, however. The visitors cut the margin to 16-14 on a touchdown pass and two-point conversion of their own. Fortunately for the home crowd, their Rangers came back with another score midway through the fourth quarter and added two extra points for a 24-14 advantage. Quarterback Daniel Marlow scored two of his team's three touchdowns in the half.

At that point, the game was just starting to get interesting.

With three minutes remaining, Rancho Alamitos scored and, despite missing the PAT, trailed by only four, 24-20. Things got even more hectic when the Vaqueros got the ball back a minute later deep in Santa Rosa territory. They actually had a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line and were stopped four times by a fired-up Ranger defense that preserved the victory.

In the next round of the playoff next week, the Rangers will face Artesia, a 56-23 winner over Temecula Prep Friday night.

Quarterback Daniel Marlow tries to get around the defense in Friday's game. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Defense played a big role in the game for Santa Rosa Academy Friday night. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Jackson Morace makes a one-handed catch to set up a Santa Rosa Academy touchdown. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Nick Welty played a big role on defense in the Rangers' 24-20 victory. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Daniel Marlow releases a pass to help beat Rancho Alamitos Friday night. (Photo by Rick Rowell)