CONCORD — Throughout the season Clayton Valley relied heavily on its run game, but trailing by 12 points with five minutes left in the game, they knew it wasn’t going to be enough.
Quarterback Jake Kern had no issue stepping up. The junior led the rally, throwing for two touchdown passes to beat Elk Grove 28-26 in the CIF 2-AA NorCal regional final.
“I didn’t want the season to send,” said Kern. “We stayed positive. I knew there was definitely a chance. Everyone played really good in the fourth quarter.”
Elk Grove had its season on life support with one last drive, but Charlie Saylor’s interception pulled the plug and punched Clayton Valley's ticket to the 2-AA state championship in Norwalk, Calif. The Ugly Eagles will play Aquinas, who won the SoCal regional final over San Juan Hills.
Over the offseason, Clayton Valley was moved from the Diablo Athletic League to the East Bay Athletic League, a significantly more competitive grouping of teams. Playing better teams seemed to have helped them over the San Joaquin powerhouse, especially when they fell behind with mere minutes remaining in the contest.
Elk Grove’s Jeremy Cook gave the Thundering Herd a 26-14 lead with 4:54 left in the game.
But Clayton Valley kept its heads up. After a touchdown being called back for holding on the following drive, the Ugly Eagles weren’t fazed. Kern connected with Rayshawn Jackson on a deep post route to cut the deficit 26-21.
After a failed onside kick, the Ugly Eagle defense came through, forcing a turnover on downs on fourth-and-two. After Kern advanced the ball with a keeper, he was able to set up the game-winning pass to Seth Gwynn for a long 42-yards making it 28-26.
“Running is our thing but Jake took the end of the game,” said Clayton Valley head coach Tim Murphy. “I applaud our offensive line for keeping going.”
Omari Taylor recorded the first touchdown of the game on a four-yard run, ending an eight-minute opening drive. But Elk Grove retaliated quickly with Hunter Hall taking a kick back to the house for 70-yards.
In the second quarter. Carter Harris finished a drive off with a one-yard quarterback sneak but Omari Taylor put Clayton Valley up 14-12. Harris then recorded his second touchdown of the game by breaking away for 53-yards, giving Elk Grove a 20-14 lead at half.
With the win, Clayton Valley returns to the state final for the first time since 2015, when the Ugly Eagles lost to Redlands East Valley in their final game of the year.
