High School

Last-second 54-yard TD catch, run by Jake Minter lifts Edison past Central in CIF championship: Live updates recap

Inspirational dive to pylon gives the Chargers from Huntington Beach their first state championship with thrilling D1-A victory over game Grizzlies from Fresno

Mitch Stephens

Edison senior Julius Gillick (9) breaks tackle on way to a 14-yard second-quarter touchdown run in terrific first half against Fresno Central in CIF Division 1-A championship game at Saddleback College.
Edison senior Julius Gillick (9) breaks tackle on way to a 14-yard second-quarter touchdown run in terrific first half against Fresno Central in CIF Division 1-A championship game at Saddleback College. / Photo: Todd Shurtleff

MISSION VIEJO, CALIFORNIA — Huntington Beach Edison goes after its first state championship while Fresno Central goes for its second in Saturday's California CIF Division 1-A championship at Saddleback College.

The kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and can been seen on the NFHS Network.

The Chargers welcome back Julius Gillick and it feels like destiny.

The Edison star running back was suspended from playing in the team’s CIF Southern Section Division 3 final due to a questionable second unsportsmanlike penalty in the semifinal. The Chargers won the title without him and Gillick returned in the regional final to run for 240 yards and three TDs.

Central is an ultra-dynamic team that can pass and run. Sophomore QB Jelani Dippel has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and 39 TDs. Running back Brandon Smith is up to 1,800 yards rushing and 25 TDs. (FULL STORY) PREVIEW

CIF championships; high school football California football
Jelani Dippel completed 10 of 12 passes in the first half for 139 yards and two touchdowns. / Photo: Todd Shurtleff

LIVE UPDATES: CENTRAL VS. EDISON

1ST QUARTER

TOUCHDOWN EDISON! What a drive! Edison takes opening kickoff and drives it metholcially down field led by Gillick, who powers it in from the 1 on 4th down. A 16-play, 59-yard drive chews up the first 9 minutes, 8 seconds of the quarter. Impressive. No penalties. No fumbles. EDISON 7, CENTRAL 0. 2:46 1Q.

2ND QUARTER

TOUCHDOWN CENTRAL! While Edison grinds, Central bombs! Beautiful 38-yard TD pass from Jelani Dippel to EJ Morgan. Central 7, Edidson 7. Early 2nd.

TOUCHDOWN GILLICK! Another power drive finished off a 14-yard bullish run at the finish by Gillick. He sprinted outside and bullied a DB. Edison 14, Central 7. 5-play, 67-yard drive. 7:20 2Q.

TOUCHDOWN CENTRAL! After a dropped TD, Bayon Harris with spectacular 5-yard TD grab as Central ties game with another long touchdown drive. Central 14, Edison 14. 4:26 2Q.

End of half: Edison 14, Central 14

3RD QUARTER

INTERCEPTION EDISON: Dippel intercepted Devyn Blake. This after Brandon Smith opens with 20-yard gain. Last two passes by Dippel, a super impressive sophomore, intercepted. He's only had one pass go incomplete.

  1. END OF 3: Edison 14, Central 14. Lot of movement between the 20s but not much else.

4TH QUARTER

INTERCEPTION CENTRAL! Great pick in the end zone by Xavior Jones! Central takes over at its own 20. 7:48 4Q.

HOLD ON DOWNS! Central zips right down field, all the way to the Edison 6. Three straight incompletes, the last one a drop in the end zone. Edison takes over at the 6 with 4:54 to go.

3-AND-OUT! Edison punts, Central takes over at Edison 49. 3:09 remaining. Still tied at 14-14.

EDISON HOLDS ON DOWNS: Central travels to Edison 32, but gets no closer. 4th down pass to Smith broken up. Edison takes over at 32 with 49 seconds left. 2 timeouts.

TOUCHDOWN EDISON!!! Sam Thomson to Jake Minter 54 yards touchdown. What a catch and run by Minter! 20 seconds left. Edison 21, Central 14. 0:20 4Q.

EDISON HOLDS!

FINAL: Edison 21, Central 14

Published |Modified
Mitch Stephens
MITCH STEPHENS

Mitch Stephens is a senior editor at SBLive Sports for California, a state he's covered high school sports since 1984. He won multiple CNPA and CPSWA writing awards with the Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle and MaxPreps.com before joining the SBLive staff in 2022. He's covered the beat nationally since 2007, profiling such athletes as Derrick Henry, Paige Bueckers, Patrick Mahomes, Sabrina Ionescu, Jayson Tatum, Chiney Ogwumike, Jeremy Lin and Najee Harris as preps. You can reach him at mitch@scorebooklive.com.

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