Throughout the season, the Cordova High School football team has found ways to score a touchdown or field goal, once inside an opponents’ red zone.

That led to the Lancers producing a 7-3 overall record. That included a 4-1 mark to win a share of the Sierra Valley Conference title with Liberty Ranch and El Dorado, and Cordova’s first league title in 25 years.

The scoring continued for Cordova against Christian Brothers in the first round of a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoff game at Hughes Stadium on the Sacramento City College campus. But turnovers, both inside the Falcons’ red zone, were the downfall for the Lancers.

That led to Cordova, the No. 14th seed, being clipped by the Falcons 30-20 on Nov. 11th. This was the Lancers’ first playoff appearance since 2006. Christian Brothers, the No.3 seed, is 3-0 against the Lancers in playoff meetings between the two schools.

“We had a total of four turnovers,” said Cordova head coach Darren Nill. “It’s pretty hard to win a playoff game when you have four turnovers.”

The Lancers led 14-12 entering the fourth quarter. The Falcons soared to the lead, courtesy of a Lancer fumble, on an 18-yard pass. Along with the 2-point conversion, Christian Brothers led 20-14 just one minute into the final quarter.

Then the Falcons bumped their lead to 22-14 on a safety in the Lancers’ end zone. Christian Brothers added its final touchdown of the game on another pass, this time of 32 yards. Another 2-point conversion gave the Falcons a 30-14 advantage with six minutes remaining in the contest.

“This was a hard-hitting, fun type of game,” Nill said. “It wasn’t chippy; both teams were helping each other up (after plays). Just out there, having a good time playing football. That was really fun to watch.”

But the Lancers never gave up. On its next offensive drive, Cordova trimmed the lead to 30-20 when quarterback Xavier Johnson scored on a 14-yard run. Toward the end of the quarter, the Lancers had the ball again, but an interception led to Falcon possession and victory.

Cordova recorded its first touchdown of the game with a minute left in the opening quarter. Johnson completed a 29-yard pass to wide receiver Alvin Banks for a 6-0 lead.

“We really took it to them,” Nill said. “Through three quarters, we were the best team out there.”

Christian Brothers tied the game at 6-6 on another TD pass from quarterback Tyler Vander Waal, who threw four in the game. The score remained that way at halftime. Then in the third quarter, the Lancers took a 14-6 lead when running back Deante McCullough scored on a 70-yard run. Johnson ran in the 2-point conversion.

Lancer defensive end Kelechi Njoku, a junior who also doubles as one of the team’s running backs, led the squad in tackles with 12. Linebacker Yusef Pugh followed with eight tackles, defensive back Bryan Estrada seven and linebacker Jason Johnson and middle linebacker Kenneth Haney had six each.

Cordova wasn’t the only SVC champion eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Liberty Ranch was within reach of Placer, 14-7 in the first quarter but fell 42-21, in a D-IV contest in Auburn. In another D-IV playoff opener, El Dorado led 20-10, but fell to Los Banos, 23-20.