ORANGE — Villa Park was 6 yards away from advancing to its first CIF-SS title game in 13 years. At the very least, the Spartans were in prime position to kick a short field goal and force San Jacinto to play its third straight overtime playoff game.

Neither happened after the Spartans lost a fumble on third down at the 5-yard line with 28 seconds left, allowing San Jacinto to escape with an 18-15 victory in the Division 4 semifinal at El Modena High.

“Kids believed,” San Jacinto coach Aric Galliano said. “They dug down deep and made plays when we needed it. We struggled a little bit at the beginning, they answered at halftime and it’s a testament to these kids. They prepared all offseason for this moment and I’m so proud of them.”

San Jacinto (10-3) will try to win its second Southern S

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