Green Valley’s Class 5A Southern Region football quarterfinal against Desert Pines fit the definition of a tale of two halves.

The Gators led 16-7 at halftime and were ahead by as many as 16 points in the third quarter before Desert Pines mounted a comeback. It came down to a final play, but Green Valley never let go of its lead to advance in the playoffs.

Green Valley deflected a pass on a Desert Pines’ Hail Mary attempt in the endzone, and the fifth-seeded Gators held on for a 23-21 road win at No. 4 Desert Pines on Friday night.

“For this group to get as far as this group’s gotten this year with all the guys we’re missing, I can’t tell you how proud I am of them,” Green Valley coach Bill Powell said. “Nobody gave us a chance tonight. (Desert Pines has) been on a roll. … We used that

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