Football: Tesoro 17, Chaparral 14

An answered prayer. That's what was delivered on a Hail Mary pass that Matt Adam heaved toward the end zone Friday at Tesoro High. Forrest Dunivin pulled down the 41-yard gain, and Adam scored from one yard on the next play to give Tesoro a 17-14 nonleague victory over Temecula Chaparral.

The winning drive covered 74 yards in six plays and the decisive blow came in the final two minutes as Tesoro remained unbeaten through five games. The Titans have victories by a combined 16 points over three teams that have at least three wins on the season, Newhall Hart (3-1), Chino Hills (3-1-1) and Chaparral (3-1).

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Tesoro, ranked No. 4 in the Orange County top 10, came into the game ranked No. 7 in the state, according to Cal Hi Sports. Chaparral was No. 19. Chaparral won last year's game, 24-6, but Tesoro went on to reach the Southern Section Pac-5 semifinals.

Tesoro got its winning score with 1 minute 37 seconds left in the game, and the Titan defense was able to make it stand up. The defense didn't allow Chaparral past midfield in the first half as Tesoro took a 7-0 lead into the break.

The defense played a huge role in Tesoro getting the ball when it did. It put so much pressure on the Chaparral offense that the Pumas punted on third-and-35

A 26-yard punt return and a blocked punt set up Chaparral scoring drives of 14 and 10 yards in the third quarter, but the quarter ended 14-10 as Zach Schottenfeld kicked a 26-yard field goal for the Titans.

Although Dunivin was short of the goal line in the fourth quarter, he was the recipient of Adam's 10-yard touchdown pass in the second.

Nate Tago rushed for 127 yards for the Titans, and Adam passed for 88—with Dunivin responsible for 85 yards in receptions.

Tesoro will next play on Oct. 5 against Trabuco Hills (4-1) in the South Coast League opener.