Freshman Carter Plowman returned a fumble for a touchdown and led a solid defensive effort by Laguna Blanca in a 28-21 8-man football win over Santa Clara on Saturday.
The victory puts the Owls in the league championship game against Villanova Prep on Saturday at 7 p.m., in Ojai.
Plowman had eight tackles, two sacks and returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown to put the Owls ahead by three scores early in the third quarter.
“Our guys did a great job with their individual assignments and just focusing on their jobs,” said coach Matt Escobar of the defense.
Quarterback Spencer Hlavaty passed for two TDs, and rushed for a score. Gabe Lea and Carson Stewart caught the scoring passes to give the Owls a 20-6 lead.
“We started the game off slow on offense in the first quarter but found a spark in the run game with Spencer Hlavaty keeping the read option for a 65-yard touchdown,” said Escobar. “On the next couple of drives, Hlavaty found Gabe Lea and Carson Stewart for 55-yard and 10-yard TD conversions.”