CARLSBAD – As Arcadia Rio Hondo Prep ran the ball over and over and over again, the cries rained down from the Santa Fe Christian fans.

“I bet they run it! … I dare you to throw it! … I’d rather watch tug of war.”

But what’s that saying? “If it ain’t broke …”

And so Rio Hondo Prep stuck to the ground and broke Santa Fe Christian’s heart. Running the ball 41 times and passing it once (intentionally out of bounds), Rio Hondo defeated the Eagles 26-21 Saturday night at Carlsbad High School in the Southern California Division 2-A championship game.

The Kares (15-0) advance to next weekend’s state championship. Santa Fe Christian’s quest for its first official state championship ends with a 13-1 season.

As Sante Fe Christian players, coaches, friends and family members mingled about the fi

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