El Cerrito captured its third North Coast Section championship in four years on Friday night, building a 12-point halftime advantage on its way to a 32-21 victory over fifth-seeded Ukiah in the Division III final at American Canyon High.

Joeseph Broussard scored on a 15-yard run shortly before halftime to give third-seeded El Cerrito a 19-7 lead.

After Ukiah pulled to within 19-14 in the third quarter, Dejuan Compton Jr. scored on a short run to widen El Cerrito’s advantage back to double digits, 26-14.

Broussard’s 70-yard run set up the touchdown.

Gary Youngblood’s 90-yard reception with just under six minutes to play stretched the lead to 32-14, all but wrapping up El Cerrito’s fourth NCS championship in its history.

The Gauchos (11-2) will move on to a CIF NorCal regional next week

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