Leland set up a winner-take-all matchup next week in the BVAL-Mount Hamilton Division by virtue of a 31-9 win over visiting Independence Friday night. Matt McLaughlin completed 12-of-18 passes for 197 yards and a 48-yard touchdown to Matt Mohs for the Chargers (6-3, 5-1), who visit Oak Grove Friday night for the BVAL-MH championship. The Sixers (3-6, 0-6) lost for the sixth straight time after opening the season with three victories.
The Chargers broke open a close game by outscoring Independence 22-0 in the decisive third quarter to extend a 9-3 halftime lead to 31-3. Kenny Portera scored on a pair of touchdowns runs (2, 1) and fellow senior running back Jack Pizzo added a 3-yard run. Independence senior running back Jojo Valenzuela raced into the end zone from 48 yards out in the fourth quarter for the 76ers' only touchdown.
Leland can capture the division title with an upset over undefeated and third-ranked Oak Grove (9-0, 6-0) next week because it would win the head-to-head tiebreaker to decide the champion. Meanwhile, Independence will be looking for its first league win of the season when it closes out at Santa Teresa next Saturday afternoon.
