South Gate Wins City Division I Championship with Thrilling Hail Mary Touchdown
In a heart-stopping finale, South Gate High School emerged victorious in the City Section Division I championship game, defeating Marquez 63-58 on Saturday at Southwest College. The winning touchdown was scored on a Hail Mary pass from quarterback Michael Gonzalez to wide receiver Nicholas Fonseca, with the latter coming down with the ball in the end zone.
The winning touchdown pass from QB Michael Gonzalez to WR Nicholas Fonseca that gave South Gate a City Division I championship. Courtesy Intescholastic Films. Corrected.
A Lesson Learned from Last Season’s Heartbreak
South Gate’s victory was all the more sweet given their loss in the City Division II final last season, where they took a safety with one second left and then botched an onside kick, ultimately losing to Chatsworth on a 32-yard field goal. This season, the team’s coaches emphasized the importance of perseverance, with Gonzalez recalling their mantra: “Don’t stop no matter what until the scoreboard says zero and we have the plaque in our hands.”
Gonzalez, a junior, had a standout performance, throwing for a career-high 450 yards and six touchdowns. His faith in his teammates was rewarded, and the team’s hard work paid off with the championship win.
Celebration and Looking Ahead
The team’s bus ride home was a celebratory affair, with cars pulling alongside to honk their horns in congratulations. South Gate (11-3) will now move on to the regional state playoffs, hosting Bishop Union on Saturday at 6 p.m. The team’s victory is a testament to their dedication and teamwork, and they will look to carry this momentum into their next game.
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