Del Norte High School falls short in the final moments of the game, allowing Birmingham to secure a 30-28 victory in the Division 3-AA Southern California championship. After a missed field-goal attempt and a series of plays, Birmingham quarterback Kingston Tisdell’s Hail Mary pass to Devyn Jackson resulted in a shocking 52-yard touchdown on the game’s final play, ultimately securing the win for Birmingham and closing the possibility of Del Norte’s first state football championship game appearance.
This devastating outcome left Del Norte’s team and fans in disbelief and heartache, especially after a strong performance in the game. A speech from Birmingham’s Nick Barnett after the game emphasized the unpredictability of life and the unfortunate nature of some situations.
Throughout the game, solid performances from both teams kept the crowd on edge, with standout plays from Del Norte’s Ty Olsen, who served as both a wide receiver and made a critical touchdown-saving tackle near the end of the first half. Del Norte’s efforts, coupled with the heartbreaking, last-second play that resulted in Birmingham’s victory, left the team and fans reeling from the loss.
The game serves as a historic and pivotal moment in Del Norte High School’s football history, as the Nighthawks had the opportunity to advance to their first state football championship game in the program’s 14-year history. However, despite the bitter disappointment, the team’s resilience and sportsmanship in the face of such a loss speak volumes.
