RIVERSIDE — As time ticked in the fourth quarter, Norte Vista football coach Ken Batdorf had one thought.

“What do we have to do to keep (Vista del Lago)’s offense away from the football?” Batdorf said. “We just played keep-away.”

Senior Jayden Henderson rushed for two of his three touchdowns in the second half, and Norte Vista held on to defeat Vista del Lago 28-24 in a CIF Southern Section Division 9 first-round playoff football game.

“It’s just hard-mouthed football like we do at Norte Vista,” said Henderson, who finished with a game-high 20 carries for 89 yards. “We just keep running it up your nose until you get tired.”

Henderson was vital as Norte Vista (8-3 overall) moved the chains and held onto the ball for the final 8-plus minutes of the game, running for three first downs to

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