OJAI - Choking back tears, Nipomo's Kyle Webb raised his helmet high into a chilly night sky on Friday, the Titans joining him in unison at midfield.

Most were choking back tears - but none were hanging their heads low.

Each knew this finish - as dramatic as they come - could not ruin a landmark season.

“Brotherhood!” he screamed one last time, his teammates joining him in an uproar - a large gathering of fans cheering them on.

The Nipomo Titans came seven yards short of pulling off a remarkable victory on Friday, but a blocked field goal in overtime sealed Nordhoff's 23-20 win in the first round of the CIF playoffs.

Visiting fans could have sworn they were witnessing a playoff veteran perform at Ojai Valley Community Stadium, not a squad that entered the postseason for the first time in school history.

“These guys (Nordhoff) have been to the playoffs 16 out of the last 17 years, or something like that,” Nipomo coach Russ Edwards said. “And we battled with them to the end. Past the end.”

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In the end, the Titans needed to toss just one more thunderbolt.

They struck time and time again in the closing minutes, showing the grittiness of playoff veterans. Nordhoff drove down the field and scored with 5:31 left in the fourth quarter, taking a 20-13 lead.

But so much for the playoff jitters.

Quarterback Mason Sperakos responded, orchestrating a textbook drive, spanning 77 yards for a stunning comeback touchdown. That score came on his 1-yard sneak with just 26 seconds remaining.

In overtime, the Nipomo defense - as it did all night - stuffed the Rangers on three plays, forcing them to take a 37-yard field goal.

CIF overtime rules give each team a chance to score - be it a field goal or touchdown - starting on the opponents' 25-yard line.

All the Titans needed was a touchdown. And, boy, did they come close.

On fourth-and-12 from the 13-yard line, Eryk Fernandez lined up to take a field goal. The ball was snapped, and he calmly put it through the uprights.

Except he was illegally hit.

Suddenly, Nipomo was just seven yards away from the upset: First and goal at the seven.

However, three plays later, Fernandez lined up again, this time at the four. A blocked field goal gave Nordhoff its win - and every spectator their heartbeat back.

“We can't look back at this as a bad memory,” Webb said. “We made a good run. We have to keep our heads up. It was a great season.”

It was, according to Edwards, their best season ever. And to think that the same Titans went 1-9 two years ago. This season, a 4-3 league record sent them into their first playoffs as a program.

“Two great football teams played tonight,” Edwards said. “It is one where you wish no one had to lose.”

Nipomo struck first Friday night, mixing the run and pass to perfection on its second drive of the game. Running back Duane Hanna started the drive with a gritty 27-yard gain up the middle, earning most of the yards on a second effort. Sperakos capped the drive with a 48-yard strike to Webb, who found himself one-on-one with a Ranger defensive back.

Nordhoff set out to even the score.

Rangers running back Chris Gibson was still visibly frustrated from his dropped pass to end Nordhoff's first drive. His fumes materialized into a 13-yard gain on his next carry. He didn't drop his next pass, gaining 22 yards on the short pass from Rangers' quarterback Garrett Graham.

Nordhoff made it look easy, driving down to the Titans' 24-yard line on just five plays. The sixth play was overthrown. The seventh was fumbled.

Nipomo's Nathan Mendoza picked up the fumble, caused on Hanna's hit after a faulty pitch, and the Titans were once again in business.

Another impressive push down the field, however, netted no points after Fernandez sent a 35-yard field goal attempt wide left.

Nordhoff again looked unstoppable on its next drive.

That is, until another forced fumble. This time it was Korben Boaz' pressure up the middle that forced an errant snap. Blake Clark picked up the fumble, and lightning had struck again.

The Titans weren't so lucky on their next defensive effort.

Nordhoff charged downfield, showcasing no such errors en route to an 80-yard drive and touchdown. After Graham's 29-yard touchdown to Tyler Wadsworth, Nordhoff lined up for the extra point.

Lighting struck again. Boaz struck again.

Charging up the middle, he stuffed the attempt, salvaging a 7-6 lead going into halftime.

Despite the blocked kick, Nordhoff had captured the momentum.

They captured their first lead early in the third.

Chris Gibson scored on a 9-yard sweep to the near-side, capping a 61-yard, 9-play drive with 8:21 remaining. The 2-point conversion failed.

Webb made his longest reception of the day, albeit on an audible.

“It was a huge fourth down play, and Mason called an audible,” Webb said. “I ran the wrong play Š I don't even know.”

Speed made up for everything. Sperakos threw a beautifully-placed ball to his best wide receiver, who had again beat his defender in a footrace. Thirty-five yards later, Webb had given his squad a 13-12 lead with 9:18 left in the fourth.

November 17, 2007