MODESTO — The Sierra High Timberwolves came away with a 28-21 overtime victory at Gregori Thursday.

"It was inches," said coach Ryan Teicheira, praising his defense on stopping the Eagles on the fourth-and-short at the 17-yard line to end the non-league game.

The Timberwolves (3-1) broke a 21-21 on their first possession of the OT on Venn Piedad's 2-yard run. Ryan Serrantos' extra point kick made it 28-21.

Gregori (2-2) got the ball at 25, taking it to the 17 on three plays. That's when Sierra's interior line delivered the big stop.

"I liked the way our D-line played," said Teicheira. "They won this one in the trenches."

The Sierra defense, for that matter, didn't allow a score after halftime.

Gregori opened the scoring, driving 68 yards on its first possession. Senior quarterback Mason Durao connected with tight end Jack Gordon on a 38-yard pass play, giving his team a 6-0 lead.

The Timberwolves answered back with a time-consuming drive — try nearly six minutes — with Piedad punching the ball in from a yard out.

The junior running back finished the night with a pair of TDs.

On the first play of the second quarter with junior signal-caller Jaysen Martinez, throw from his end zone, finding speedy wide receiver Blama Kamara, who finished with seven catches for 181 yards.

Despite the tight coverage, Kamara, who is also a standout track runner, hauled in the pass, racing 99 yards for the score. Serrantos' kick made it 14-6.

The Eagles bounced back with two scores before the half.

J’Kai Ramos broke loose for a 50-yard touchdown. He also ran in the two-point point conversion to knot the game up at 14-14.

Gregori then took advantage to good field position. Ramos scored on a 4-yard run to help give his team a 21-14 right before the half.

The Timberwolves marched deep into Gregori territory thanks to a 31-yard pass play from Martinez to DJ Shepherd.

That drive stalled inside the Eagles 5 at the break.

Most of the second half was highlighted by the defense by both teams.

Sierra turned to a gadget play at the 1:47 mark of the third.

From the Eagles 25, Isaac Kempf, who reeled in a 7-yard pass from Martinez, turned to lateral the ball to DJ Shepherd, who took it from there by sprinting to the end zone.

The score stayed locked in at 21-21 throughout regulation play.

Sierra had the first possession in the overtime period and cashed it in from there.

"Our defense played lights out — they were strong and fought hard to the end," said Teicheira.