With the game tied late in the fourth quarter, La Habra defensive end Ulavai Fetuli was determined to impact the outcome for his team.

Fetuli came off the edge and sacked Crean Lutheran quarterback Dylan D’Epifanio in the end zone to record a safety for the go-ahead points that were ultimately the deciding points in La Habra’s 15-13 victory on Friday night.

“What a great moment for him to be the hero, he’s such a good player and a great kid,” La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta said.

The Highlanders (7-1, 3-0) have won seven consecutive games and are now sitting alone atop the Epsilon League standings.

The Saints led 13-7 going into the fourth quarter but were unable to pull away, leaving the door open for a La Habra comeback.

Bobby Brooks provided a much-needed spark to the Highlanders’ rushing attack. Brooks carried the ball six straight times in the game-tying drive that was capped by a 6-yard TD run by Kevika Martinez.

The point-after attempt by Christian Ramirez hit the upright and the game remained tied.

“We just kept fighting and that’s how football is, you keep fighting and you keep battling and at some point you might wear a team down,” Mazzotta said.

— David Delgado

ST. FRANCIS 39, PARACLETE 30: St. Francis running back Isaac Fajardo refused to let a sprained ankle get in the way of his team’s quest for a CIF Southern Section playoff spot.

His three touchdowns, 156 rushing yards on 22 carries and clutch running on St. Francis’ final drive pushed the Golden Knights to a win over Paraclete in Angelus League play.

St. Francis (2-6, 2-1) has won two games in a row and is in position to secure a playoff spot if it can win at least one of its two remaining games.

Fajardo said he sprained his ankle in practice more than a week ago and that it’s been on his mind.

“I know we’re definitely in a tight spot right now for the playoffs,” Fajardo said. “I told myself it is what it is. I got to fight through and try to get a win as best we can and that’s what we did.”

— Donald Morrison

LA CANADA 46, SAN MARINO 14: The La Cañada football team’s winning formula has been simple — put unrelenting pressure up front and use a committee of runners to wear out opposing defenses.

La Cañada’s recipe remained unchanged on as the team extended its unbeaten streak and beat San Marino.

“The kids have bought in. It takes a long time at a public school to build a culture and understand what it takes to win,” La Cañada head coach Dave Avramovich said after his team improved to 8-0 overall, 3-0 in the Rio Hondo League.

La Cañada rushed for 212 yards overall. Quarterback Joe Bell gashed the San Marino run defense for three touchdowns and 98 yards rushing. Spartans senior Sohan Garg added 84 yards on nine carries.

— Jorge Ramos

ST. PAUL 31, ALEMANY 2: St. Paul team came into Angelus League play riding a three-game losing streak but has since rattled off three consecutive wins, including a win over Bishop Alemany.

From start to finish, the Swordsmen (5-3, 3-0) dominated Alemany (5-3, 0-3).

St. Paul running back Marley Luatua rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Luatua rushed for 93 yards and both touchdowns in the first half as the Swordsmen jumped out to a 24-2 lead at the half.

St. Paul head coach Mike Moschetti said his sophomore running back played great in the win.

“He’s a Luatua. … He had a great game, he played great defensively and offensively,” Moschetti said. “He’s only a sophomore. He’s only gonna get better.”

— Gabriel Duarte

EL MONTE 42, ARROYO 32: El Monte running backs Isaiah Standley and Felibe Taboada combined for 260 yards and five touchdowns in a victory over Arroyo.

“We love (the offensive line),” Taboada said.

The Lions (4-4, 2-1) have won two in a row in the Mission Valley League while Arroyo (4-4, 2-1) had a three-game winning streak snapped.

“Our linebackers did well and kept us in the ball game,” El Monte coach Hector Spathias said. “Our running backs ran like they should. Felipe and Isaiah did a great job back there.”

Taboada put an exclamation point on the game with a 72-yard run for a touchdown. His longest of the night gave El Monte a 35-16 lead. El Monte’s next score came from an 11-yard run by Taboada with four minutes left in the game.

— Thomas Murray