Izeah Buchanan hit Sal Guerra on a 14-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to lift visiting Salesian Prepatory School to a 20-14 win over Piedmont High School at Witter Field on Sept. 11. The Highlanders fell to 1-2 on the season. The Pride improved to 2-1.
Piedmont had led much of the game, going up 7-6 in the second quarter when Cyrus Emanuelson connected with Diego Hurwitz for an eight-yard scoring pass. Salesian had missed it’s PAT earlier so Emanuelson’s kick made it 7-6 Highlanders. Early in the fourth quarter, Emanuelson threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Henry Brennan to make it 14-6. Emanuelson finished 15 of 32 for 201 yards passing with the two touchdowns and an interception.
However, Salesian marched right back, cutting the lead to 14-12 on an 11-yard touchdown scamper by Tyler Sadler. The Pride went right back to Sadler on the two-point conversion but the Piedmont defense came up with the stuff.
The Highlanders had an excellent chance to put the game away on their next possession after Emanuelson completed a 53-yard pass to Hurwitz to the Salesian 21. But the drive stalled and Emanuelson missed on a fourth down pass to George Saunders, giving the ball back to the Pride. Salesian embarked on a nine-play, 83-yard drive for the winning score. Quileon Cooper busted loose for a 38-yard run on the first play to get the drive going. Buchanan and Guerra converted a key third down on the drive as well on a nine-yard passing play.
Sadler had a huge night, rushing for 195 yards on 20 carries. He also had six solo tackles on defense. Rehan Mumtaz rushed for 53 yards on 17 carries and also caught five passes for 68 yards. Saunders had five solo and five assisted tackles on defense. John Bunje had seven solo and three assisted tackles. Salesian had 362 yards in total offense, including 281 on the ground. Piedmont had 259 yards in total offense.
The Highlanders host Aragon on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.