Nordhoff Ties Final Knot in 14-14 Deadlock

OJAI — It was a case for the defense, but neither side won.

Nordhoff High and Bishop Diego, teams that average fewer than 10 points allowed per game, gave up a little more Friday night but neither could claim victory after a 14-14 tie in a nonleague game at Nordhoff.

Nordhoff’s Mike Sedlak scored on a one-yard run with 3 minutes 57 seconds to play and the Rangers elected to play for the tie. Matt Cresto kicked an extra point to pull the Rangers even.

Sedlak’s touchdown, following a fumble by Bishop Diego’s Joey Stupar and a recovery by Nordhoff’s Shane Barrett, could have been the go-ahead score. Nordhoff’s previous possession ended when Kevin Zielsdorf was stopped inches short of the Bishop Diego goal line on fourth and goal.

Nordhoff had another chance when it recovered a fumble at the Nordhoff 22-yard line with 1 minute 50 seconds remaining. But three running plays and an incompletion killed that drive.

Nordhoff’s standout fullback-linebacker Russell Farrar suffered an ankle injury late in the second quarter and did not return.

Bishop Diego went ahead, 14-7, on a two-yard scoring run by Steve Yee early in the third quarter.

Nordhoff struggled through the first two quarters but managed a 7-7 tie at halftime on Jeff Lyons’ 25-yard touchdown reception from Matt Cresto midway through the second quarter.