Sickles 20, Alonso 14, Final

Teammates would have understood if Nate Mills went to the bench Thursday night for just one play.

With 38 seconds remaining in the game and Alonso leading 14-13, the Sickles quarterback was sacked on a monster shot from Alonso linebacker Derrick Nealy.

"Oh my gosh, that hit was … extreme," Mills said. "I didn't think I was going to be able to come back, but I had to do it for my team. That's what I had to do."

Two plays later – on a fourth-and-11 at the Sickles 40 – Mills laced a deep pass up the visitors' sideline to receiver DeAndre Mathis for a 60-yard touchdown, giving Sickles the 20-14 win inside Alonso Stadium.

"I'm just happy that I made the catch to win the game," said Mathis (3 receptions, 71 yards).

Sickles coach Brian Turner admitted he had visions of the 2010 matchup against Alonso when his Gryphons led most of the way, only to lose.

The win gives Sickles (7-3) a 6-5 advantage in the overall series between the neighboring teams and may have vaulted the Gryphons into a bowl game.

Sickles jumped ahead on its opening drive of the game, using up seven minutes, 31 seconds from the game clock on that initial drive.

The 13-play possession came to an end when running back LaDondra Crittenden smashed through the Alonso defense for a 9-yard score. He finished with 159 rushing yards.

The failed extra point gave Sickles a 6-0 advantage.

On the ensuing kickoff, Sickles recovered the onside kick, ridding the clock of another two minutes, but that drive ended with a punt.

The Ravens' (6-4) first offensive drive of the night didn't come until 2:39 left in the first quarter, which ended on a botched fake field goal attempt, sniffed out by Crittenden, who was on the punt block team.

Two possessions later, Mills (eight of 20, 138 yards, two TDs) placed the ball between two defenders, into the arms of Bilal Salat for a 33-yard TD pass with 23 seconds left in the first half.

Alonso scored at the beginning of the fourth quarter on a 56-yard pass from quarterback Brandon Hawkins to Marcus Mosley, cutting the deficit to 13-7. The Ravens scored again on their next possession, a 24-yard Hawkins-to-Holloway pass, giving them a 14-13 advantage with 3:56 left in the game.

Hawkins finished seven of 14 for 148 yards and two touchdowns, while Holloway had 80 yards rushing and 35 receiving.

S – Crittenden 9 run (kick fail)
S – Salat 33 pass from Mills (Valdez kick)
A – Mosley 56 pass from Hawkins (Bagli kick)
A – Holloway 24 pass from Hawkins (Bagli kick)
S – Mathis 60 pass from Mills (Valdez kick)