Last-Minute Score Lifts Aliso Niguel Past Santiago

GARDEN GROVE —  Aliso Niguel quarterback Scott Nemeth ran two yards on a keeper to score the winning touchdown with 42 seconds left in an 18-17 victory over Santiago on Thursday.

Nemeth completed a 30-yard pass to Joe Valenti, and two 17-yarders to Justin Martin on the winning drive that began at Aliso Niguel’s seven-yard line with 3 minutes 15 seconds left. Santiago had taken a 15-10 lead with just over six and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter on a two-yard pass from Christian Cortez to Octavio Villa.

Five plays earlier, Santiago’s Tom Sokanthong had a 13-yard scoring run called back because of a clipping penalty. Cortez had teamed with Oscar Pulido on a 36-yarder to bring the ball to the 13.

Aliso Niguel took only two and a half minutes to score its first touchdown on their first drive of the second half. Martin caught a 21-yard pass from Nemeth. Nemeth ran 50 yards on a busted pass attempt, narrowly avoiding a sack, to set up the Wolverines at the Santiago 17.

The teams traded field goals in the first half, and Santiago scored on a 30-yard pass from Cortez to Villa. The drive was aided by a 40-yard run by Sokanthong.

Nemeth completed 11 passes for 188 yards and was Aliso Niguel’s leading rusher, with 77 yards in six carries.

Sokanthong led Santiago with 61 yards in nine carries.