OAKLAND— The McClymonds defense found its back against the wall Friday, 13 yards from heartbreak as Saint Francis knocked on the door of a game-winning touchdown. Sophomore defensive tackle Koi Taiese would save the host Warriors.

On 2nd-and-10 with 1:20 remaining, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound tackle somehow got a free shot at Saint Francis’ backup quarterback, Andrew Franzino, dropping him for a 12-yard sack. Then on third down, the visiting Lancers reinserted the starter, Drew Cumby, with hopes of completing another big completion.

But Taiese wouldn’t be denied. Not this night.

As Cumby tried to escape the collapsing pocket to make a play, he landed in the clutches of Taiese. His second consecutive sack put the end zone out of reach.

When St. Francis’ miracle heave on 4th-and-33 fell harm

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