PREP FOOTBALL / SOUTHERN SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS

In the Division VIII final:

Temescal Canyon 34, La Mirada 28--Temescal Canyon needed one final heroic act by Ben Horton to win at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore.

With Temescal Canyon leading, 28-21, and La Mirada in possession with 2:08 remaining, Horton made a leaping interception of a Damon Cox pass at the Matadores’ 28-yard-line and returned the ball to the La Mirada 10. Two plays later, quarterback Terry Hess scored on a nine-yard run to secure the victory.

No one was celebrating more than Horton, a 5-11 senior. That final interception was his third of the game, the first coming early in the first half and stopping a La Mirada drive. The second came on the opening drive of the second half, and Horton returned the ball 47 yards for a score and a 20-7 Titan lead.