HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
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Valencia 23, Duarte 15--Unseeded Valencia of Placentia won its second consecutive Division VI title and third in six seasons with the victory at Citrus College.
Ace Riggins rushed for 122 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that gave Valencia (11-3) a 23-7 lead.
Duarte (12-1) played the first half without starting quarterback Greg Ainsworth, who pulled a hamstring on the first play from scrimmage.
Ainsworth returned in the second half but had a pass intercepted on the first drive by Valencia’s Mike Mebane, who returned it 30 yards for a score. Ainsworth threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Joe Barnes with 5:24 remaining, but Valencia’s defense stopped the Falcons on fourth and 10 at the Valencia 45 with 1:56 left.
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