Believe in miracles? The Raiders might after drawing even 12-12
on Clay Miller’s scoring strike to Max Sanford
MORGAN HILL — A week after scoring on a 98-yard run in a 28-0 win over Brentwood, Morgan Hill Junior Midgets quarterback Clay Miller outdid himself against Cambrian Valley.
Miller connected with Max Sanford for a 99-yard catch-and-run with no time left as the Raiders scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes to nearly beat the Longhorns last weekend in the Outdoor Sports Center. The Raiders failed to score on both PAT attempts, though, and settled for a 12-12 decision that could go down as the most memorable tie in Morgan Hill Pop Warner history.
The Raiders earned it with their longest play of the season. Miller threw to Sanford for a 20-yard gain, and the halfback took care of the rest, breaking two tackles on a dead sprint to the end zone.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything like that,” Morgan Hill coach Rick Dunham said. “The crowd was just going crazy.”
The deciding play was a complete improvisation. After Miller was sacked on the opening play on the Raiders’ final drive, Dunham and his staff yelled for Miller to spike the ball and stop the clock; the Raiders were out of timeouts.
Grant Gluhaich had a better idea. The fullback yelled “cardinal, cardinal,” a bread-and-butter passing play that calls for Sanford to cross over the middle. The offense moved into position, and Miller got the snap off just in time.
“It was even more incredible that we got the play off,” Dunham said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without our defense, though.”
The thrilling finish ended on sad note for Miller, who suffered a concussion while trying to rush for the go-ahead PAT.
“The kid’s got a huge heart,” Dunham said. “He and Max are two of the most humble people you’ll ever meet.”
Things looked bleak for the Raiders only minutes before the tying touchdown as they trailed 12-0 with 7:42 left.
They began their first scoring drive at the MH 41-yard line and moved down the field with a balanced mix of runs and short passes. Miller connected with tight end Jonathan Freitas for an 8-yard touchdown pass, and the Raiders were back in business with about three minutes remaining.
The ensuing on-side kick failed, leaving Cambrian Valley with the ball at the Morgan Hill’s 20. The Longhorns drove to the 1 where the Raiders stopped them on fourth-and-goal to retake possession with 15 seconds left and 99 yards in front of them.
It was one of several key plays made by Morgan Hill’s defense. The Raiders limited Cambrian Valley’s ground attack with hard-nosed play by Noe Garcia, Maximo Zhang, Anthony Ditta and Gluhaich.
Sanford and Miller led their team in tackles with 13 and 12, respectively, and teammate Elvis Bernal intercepted a deep pass.
The Raiders play a tough South Valley team Saturday at Gunderson High School in San Jose.
