SACRAMENTO – Heartbreak.

When Kirk Simoni gave No. 4 East Union a one-point lead on a two-point conversion with 2:49 remaining in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV football championship game Saturday night, the Lancers bench and stands went nuts.

But the celebration was premature.

Second-seeded Roseville fair caught the ensuing pooch kick on its own 35-yard line and embarked on a seven play, 58-yard drive that culminated with a 24-yard Austin Chang field goal just before time expired to give the Tigers the thrilling 31-29 win for the coveted blue banner.

“What can you say about these kids, with all the stuff they have been through to get to this point,” East Union coach Jason Stock said. “We are not into consolation trophies or anything like that, but we just turned the ball over a little too much tonight, and that proved to be the difference in the game.

“We needed to make a stop at the end, and we were unable to do it. Hats off to Roseville, that’s a good football team over there.”

With 4:48 left in the contest, instead of punting the ball to pin the Lancers (9-4) deep, the Tigers (11-2) tried some razzle dazzle on a fake punt near midfield. It backfired when Ricky Soria (10 tackles) stopped the fourth-down attempt, which led to a 2-yard scoring plunge by Brayden Camara (22 carries, 156 yards, two touchdowns) to draw the Lancers within 28-27 with 2:48 showing on the clock.

“I want to continue to give all credit to my line,” Camara said. “They are the ones who open up the holes for me.

“My philosophy is just run hard. That’s what I tried to do tonight, and unfortunately, we fell a little short.”

East Union went for two points on the conversion attempt, and Roseville was called for pass interference on Jackson Fay, giving the Lancers a shot at it from one and one-half yards out.

“I asked the kids if they wanted to go for two,” Stock said. “And they said they wanted to do it.”

Quarterback Kirk Simoni (13-of-18 passing, 145 yards, two touchdowns, interception) kept it for that short distance to give East Union the one-point lead.

“The game was exciting to experience with all these great guys,” Simoni said. “I love all these guys and all the coaches.

“It was a great, fun ride to be a part of and I am very thankful for everybody involved.”

Hoku Ap’e and Ricky Soria led the Lancers with 10 tackles apiece and Ap’e broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone early in the second quarter to squelch a Tigers scoring opportunity.

“I had to keep pushing,” Ap’e said. “We were down, and I tried to do whatever I could to stop them.

“I’m proud of my guys. We couldn’t have done it without each other and without our coaches. Win or lose they are still my brothers at the end of the day. I love them.”

East Union led 14-7 after one quarter on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Simoni to Camara and a 10-yard Jackson Fay run. Fay scored again in the second quarter on an 8-yard pass from Simoni for a 21-21 halftime tie.

Jesse Martinez tallied seven tackles for the Lancers, Nikko Hisatomi (interception) and Chris Gallego five apiece with four each for Andreis Velazquez and Jose Guizar and three for Anthony Oteri. 

Stock knew he had some special players on the field this year.

“Camara has outstanding balance, runs through contact and he is a tough tackle,” Stock said. “Kirk (Simoni) played very well tonight, and we just didn’t make the plays when we needed to. As far as Ap’e, tonight was like Hoku all year long. The guy flies around and makes tackles.

“Another guy that plays his butt off is Chris Gallego. He flies around too.” 

J.J. Yong (eight receptions, 129 yards) scored a pair of Roseville touchdowns on throws of 37 and 48 yards from Mason Susnaro (16-of-23 passing, 216 yards, three touchdowns, interception).