Sunny Hills Stops Rancho Alamitos : Division VII: Cuccia’s run with 38 seconds left gives Lancers a 14-13 victory and their third title.

SANTA ANA —  On a night when his legs did most of the work, it was Jacob Cuccia’s arm that made the biggest impact.

Tailback Cuccia scored on a four-yard run with 38 seconds remaining in the game to give Sunny Hills a 14-13 victory over Rancho Alamitos in the Southern Section Division VII championship game Friday night in front of 4,500 at Santa Ana Stadium.

The victory gave the Lancers (12-1-1) their third section title. Rancho Alamitos, which was favored to win even though it was seeded second behind Sunny Hills, finished at 11-3.

It was a pass by Cuccia, who had 46 yards in 13 carries, that helped set up the winning touchdown moments earlier.

With 1 minute 4 seconds left in the game, Cuccia threw a 38-yard halfback option pass to wide receiver Richard Sanchez on a third-and-eight play that gave the Lancers a first down at the Rancho Alamitos eight. Cuccia scored two plays later on a run over right tackle.

“He (Cuccia) just put it right there. It was right on the money,” Lancer quarterback Bobby Sunderland said of Cuccia’s pass. “The guy plays his heart out.”

Sunderland, who scored the other Lancer touchdown on a one-yard keeper with 8:16 to play in the third quarter, said Sunny Hills Coach Tim Devaney had the team practice the play the past few days.

“We’ve been working on that halfback pass all week,” Sunderland said. “Coach Devaney wanted to use it at the right time. He’s a great coach.”

The right time almost never got there for the Lancers.

Rancho Alamitos, the Garden Grove League champion, dominated play in the first half and seemed headed for its first section title ever.

The Vaqueros ran 34 plays to only 13 for Sunny Hills in the first two quarters and outgained the Lancers in rushing yardage, 170 to 30.

Most of those rushing yards were collected by tailback Jeff Byrd, who had 120 yards in 23 carries in the half, including runs of 24 and 25 yards. He finished with a game-high 190 yards in 45 carries.

It was a bitter ending to Byrd’s spectacular two-year career at Rancho Alamitos. He increased his county single-season rushing record to 2,596 yards and became the all-time scoring leader with 404 points. His 222 points this season tied him for the county single-season mark with Mike Jacot of Southern California Christian, who had set the record last season.

Byrd also became the third top ground gainer in county history with 4,459 yards, and is second in career rushing touchdowns with 64. Ron Papazian, the former Whittier Christian standout, owns the record with 66. His 35 rushing touchdowns this season left him two shy of Jacot’s mark established in 1991.

His 25-yard run with 1:23 remaining in the second quarter gave Rancho Alamitos a 7-0 at the half. He scored again on a two-yard run with 2:41 left in the game, but the snap on the extra point sailed over kicker Tony Luce’s head and the Vaqueros had to settle for a 13-7 lead.

“I didn’t want to ice my own kid, so I didn’t call a timeout,” Vaquero Coach Mark Miller said. “I wanted to call a time out and have him (the snapper) dry his hands.”

The Lancers then started their desperation drive with 2:36 to play at their own 27. The drive nearly stalled on the third play, but a pass interference call against Rancho Alamitos gave Sunny Hills new life at the Vaquero 48. After a couple of unsuccessful plays, Cuccia connected with Sanchez along the left sideline to set up the stage for the winning score.

Record-Setting Jeff Byrd

Rancho Alamitos running back Jeff Byrd is at or near the top of most all-time rushing statistical categories in Orange County:

Yards rushing, career--Third with 4,459, behind Ray Pallares (5,396, Valencia, 1983-85), Derek Brown (4,878, Servite, 1986-88).

Yards rushing, season--First with 2,596.

Rushing touchdowns, career--Second with 64, behind Ron Papazian (66, Whittier Christian, 1987-89).

Rushing touchdowns, season--Second with 35, behind Mike Jacot (37, Southern California Christian, 1991).

Touchdowns, season--Second with 36, behind Jacot (37, 1991).

Scoring, career--First with 404 points.

Scoring, season--Tied for first with 222 points, with Jacot (1991).