Miramonte Defeats Casa Grande, 41-28, To Capture NCS Football Title

Miramonte High defeated previously unbeaten Casa Grande High, 41-28, to win the North Coast Section Division II football title on Saturday night.

The third seeded Matadors scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to topple the top ranked Gauchos.

It's the first NCS football championship for Miramonte in a decade.

The game, played in frigid weather at Rancho Cotate High School, was a back-and-forth battle throughout.

Miramonte took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter, according to a Qwikcore account of the game.

The two teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter to leave the Matadors with a 14-7 lead at halftime.

Casa Grande, however, scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 21-14 lead heading into the final period.

Miramonte came back with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 21-21 with about 10 minutes to go.

Minutes later, the Matadors intercepted a pass and returned it for another touchdown to grab a 28-21 lead with about seven minutes to go.

The Gauchos responded quickly with a touchdown of their own to tie the game at 28-28 with six minutes to go.

Miramonte bounced back and crossed the goal line with about two minutes left to take a 35-28 lead.

The Matadors then scored again with under a minute to play to seal the victory. They missed a two-point conversion, making the final 41-28.

The Matadors are now 12-2 on the season while Casa Grande is 13-1.

Miramonte had defeated second seeded Clayton Valley Charter High last weekend to reach the finals.