As the ball crossed through the uprights, the question became this: How would long-suffering Los Banos -- the city and its high school football program -- celebrate its first playoff victory in more than a decade?
Easy.
With a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.
James Burns, sports editor
Kicker Freddie Romero ran toward the sideline, his eyes spread as wide as his arms, blinded by euphoria.
Assistant coach Rod Hill took four or five steps onto the wet turf, fell to his back and began carving angels in the mud.
Linebacker Julio Iglesias jumped in and out chest bumps.
The entire city of Los Banos spilled out of the stands and into the handshake line, slapping hands with Modesto, eager to grab at least a piece -- dirt, grass, whatever -- of the program's milestone victory.
And then there was Gary Caropreso, the Los Banos athletic director who had waited patiently through losing seasons and close-calls for a team and an occasion just like this.
In this moment of revelry and raw emotion, Caropreso was the equivalent of a Chili's hostess, smiling and shaking every hand that crossed his path.
He thanked them all -- parents, ball boys, cheerleaders and complete strangers -- graciously and honestly.
Los Banos had won just about every type of game this season, and now it can add an overtime thriller to its résumé.
Check that: Sac-Joaquin Section playoff overtime thriller
With guts, determination, a little bit of luck and a pivotal PAT, Los Banos won its first playoff game since 1998.
Final score: Los Banos 27, Modesto 26.
Modesto scored on the first possession of overtime but sailed its extra point attempt wide left to make it 26-20.
Erik Martin answered on the very next play, diving in from 10 yards out, and Romero stroked his kick for the win.
"It's the playoffs. We know it's not going to be easy," Los Banos coach Dennis Stubbs said. "But our kids never quit. It's what we do. It's what we've done all season. We lost our punter and our kicker this week. We lost a fullback tonight. We don't got anymore. We put the pieces together and everyone played hard. I'm proud of the guys."
As you should be, Dennis.
But before there was unbelievable joy and happy chaos, the home side of Loftin Stadium was a sea of heartache and confusion, all brought on by blunders.
And if Los Banos expects to parlay its first playoff victory in 11 years into its first section title in 18, it should focus less on the good-time feelings and more on those painful moments.
Because Stubbs' embattled bunch can't afford the same slip-ups it made Friday.
Not against top-seeded Tracy (11-0), which rallied to beat Los Banos earlier this season. And certainly, not on the road.
Los Banos handed Modesto an early and relatively easy 13-0 lead, like it were customary of the home team.
Bullet dodged.
Later, Martin nearly gave away the season with an interception deep in his own territory with less than 2 minutes left in regulation and the score tied at 20-20. Modesto settled for a 28-yard field goal attempt, which it pushed wide left.
Disaster averted.
And the defense, which vowed last week's shootout with Buhach Colony was an anomaly, slowly wilted away under the relentless pressure of Modesto's battering ram, James Ingram.
"Everyone makes mistakes," said Martin, who freely copped to his own shortcomings. "They're going to happen, but great teams learn to win even when they do."
Indeed, Los Banos won.
And in the huddle afterwards, Stubbs, bubbling with emotion, shifted focus from one celebration to the next: Thanksgiving.
"It's pretty exciting," Stubbs said. "The best part of high school football is practicing on Thanksgiving. I wanted them to experience that. Because if you do, that means you've done something. That means you're somebody."
So to answer this column's original question: How would long-suffering Los Banos celebrate its first playoff victory in more than a decade?
Easy.
With more practice.
With another game.
James Burns is sports editor of the Sun-Star. He can be reached at jburns@mercedsun-star.com.
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