The Southern California high school football season kicked off in style with the Narbonne Gauchos pulling out a heart-stopping last second 27-23 road victory over the Palos Verdes Sea Kings on a sizzling afternoon by the beach.

With starting quarterback Eban Jackson knocked out of the game with an injury, Narbonne sophomore quarterback Roman Ale came up huge for the Gauchos, connecting with Dallas Lopez on three touchdown strikes, including the incredible game-winning 29-yard touchdown pass as time expired.

Narbonne Wins on Last Second Play

The Sea Kings were led by the stellar play of senior quarterback Daniel DiRocco. Trailing 14-3 at halftime, Palos Verdes came out with a fury in the second half. The Sea Kings cut into the deficit with a fumble return for a touchdown. Shortly after, DiRocco linked up with junior receiver Shawn Hill on a sweet diving touchdown catch to give Palos Verdes a 17-14 lead.

Narbonne was up to the challenge and responded with a touchdown score of their own on a 4th and 8 strike from Ale to Lopez that gave the Gauchos a 21-17 advantage with less than five minutes to go.

Sparked by a roughing the passer penalty, DiRocco and the Sea Kings stormed down the field in five plays, capped off by a 1-yard bootleg touchdown run by DiRocco for the go-ahead score.

Narbonne took the field trailing 23-21 with half a minute remaining. The Gauchos advanced into Sea Kings territory on a long pass from Ale to Lopez. With time for just one more play, Ale, the sophomore southpaw rolled left and fired a laser down the field to Lopez who sealed the deal with the an unbelievable game-winning touchdown catch.

Both teams overcame scorching conditions, penalties and turnovers to provide everyone in attendance with a classic high school football game to start the 2013 season.