Heartbreaker: Acalanes scores on final play but falls 42-41 after two-point try stopped

MONTEREY — Tyler Winkles had Acalanes’ second consecutive NorCal championship in his sights as he ran around the right side of the line late Friday night.

The quarterback was mere inches from converting a two-point attempt with no time on the clock that would have given the visiting Dons a victory and a spot in next week’s Division 5-AA state title game.

Instead, Winkles hit a wall at the goal line.

Carmel’s Simeon Brown made the stop that clinched a 42-41 victory and the NorCal 5-AA championship for the Padres at Monterey Peninsula College.

Acalanes High’s Chris Copeland (44) and Acalanes High’s Jonah Rivera (20) console each other after losing their CIF NorCal Division 5-AA title football game 42-41 against Carmel High at Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group) 

Instead of Acalanes traveling to Southern California next Friday for a chance to claim a second straight state championship, undefeated Carmel will make the trip to play El Capitan-Lakeside at Fullerton UHSD Stadium.

El Capitan beat Silverado 33-19 on Friday.

Acalanes cut the deficit to 42-41 when Winkles threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Niko White as time expired. Had the Dons kicked the extra point, the game would have stretched to overtime.

Acalanes High’s Niko White (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their CIF NorCal Division 5-AA title football game against Carmel High at Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, Calif., on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. Carmel High went on to win the game 42-41. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group) 

But Acalanes chose to go for the win, putting the ball in its quarterback’s hands.

As Winkles made the turn for the goal line on a run around the right side, it looked as if the decision would pay off. But the defense was waiting for Winkles.

The quarterback was hit hard by Brown at the goal line, igniting a wild celebration by the home team as Carmel improved to 14-0.

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