PLACERVILLE, CA (MPG) – Chances came and went for the Cordova High School football team.

But in its big Sierra Valley Conference game at El Dorado, the Cougars came away with a thrilling 27-26 victory over the Lancers on Oct. 20^th.

The painful loss still keeps Cordova (2-1 in the SVC, 5-3 overall) in the title race, but needs help to win a share of the title. El Dorado (3-0 in the SVC, closes out its regular season against SVC foes Galt (0-3 in the SVC, 3-5) and rival Union Mine (1-2 in the SVC, 3-5).

With 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Cordova scored its final touchdown of the game on the ground to cut the score to 27-26. Going for the 2-point conversion, the Lancers were unable to covert that left the Cougars hanging onto the slim lead.

As time ticked off the clock, the Lancers had the ball only one time, which they turned over on downs. El Dorado had possession two more times, although unable to find the end zone.

“They were using the maximum amount of clock time starting in the fourth quarter,” said Cordova head coach Darren Nill of the Cougars’ offense.

But mistakes late in the game were costly for the Lancers.

“We had nine defensive offside penalties,” Nill said. “Those nine jumps allowed them to prolong drives. Normally, they would’ve been punting away. We shot ourselves in the foot when we were on defense. We had a lot of missed snaps (on offense), quarterback exchanges, dropped balls. Basically, drive killers.”

Cordova lead 14-13 at halftime, scoring a touchdown in the first and second quarters. El Dorado scored its final two touchdowns in the third quarter before the Lancers’ defense kept the Cougars’ offense in check in the final quarter.

Offensively, the Lancers had 432 total yards; 279 rushing and 153 passing. Quarterback Johnele Sanders completed 6-of-12 passes for those 153 yards, and had 204 yards rushing.

Cordova running backs Chase Allen and Jaylen Jones had a rushing touchdown each in the game. Jordan Colvin had a scoring reception of 70 yards from Sanders.

On defense, four Lancers had double figures in tackles. Linebacker Elijah Jenkins had 18 tackles, followed by fellow backers in Ryan McMoore at 17, Yusef Pugh at 16 and defensive end Clifford Bright 10. Free safety Tyreke Evans and Jones, a defensive back, had seven each.

Cordova will play its final two SVC games at Lancer Stadium. The first one is this Friday, when Liberty Ranch (1-2 in the SVC, 2-6) pays a visit. The Hawks have lost their last two conference games by a combined six points, including a 35-33 loss to Rosemont in last week’s contest.

“I think Liberty Ranch will give us a great game,” Nill said. “They are just too good of a team. They’ve got a great coaching. I know they are going to come out and play. But we’re going to be at home. Nothing beats home cooking. Our guys are really going to be focused this week.”

Game time for Friday’s game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.