AJ Rivera had his Willis Reed moment on Friday.

With Palm Desert High School trailing, on the road in the Division 8 playoffs quarterfinals, Rivera came off the bench to lead the Aztecs on a game-winning drive in a 46-33 win over Patriot.

As rain poured down in Jurupa Valley, Rivera connected with teammate Jonah Toland on a 37-yard touchdown pass to give the Aztecs the lead with just under seven minutes remaining.

Rivera, who had hurt his right ankle in Palm Desert’s first round playoff win on Nov. 7, was unable to practice all week. He couldn’t put weight on the ankle and push off to make throws. So, sophomore Joshua Perez made the start under center on Friday.

But with the Aztecs trailing in the fourth quarter, Aztecs head coach Rudy Forti put the game in Rivera’s hands. Like Reed, w

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