Two-point conversion kicks made the difference in the Manteca Cowboys varsity team’s 8-6 overtime win over the Edison Jr. Vikings in Stockton.

The victory sends the still-unbeaten Cowboys (11-0) to the South Division Championship in the DYSA NorCal League. 

The Jr. Vikings (5-5) battled the top-seeded squad to a scoreless tie in regulation. Joseph Espinoza (14 rushes, 82 yards; 5-of-10 passing, 50 yards) scored Manteca’s touchdown on a four-yard quarterback keeper. Antonio Montero (17 rushes, 71 yards) delivered the deciding 2-point kick for the Cowboys.

After Edison scored a touchdown in its overtime drive, Presley DeMello and A.J. Martinez blocked the point-after kick to secure the Manteca victory. 

Alex Alexander turned in seven tackles to lead the defense. Andrew Mount, Klayton Torres and Martinez each added five. Martinez also grinded out 48 rushing yards on 10 attempts.

Manteca faces the winner of the Modesto Rams-Tracy Rampage divisional semifinal in the South title game next Sunday at Stagg High. The varsity game is scheduled to kick off at 4.

Junior varsity

Cowboys 30, Tracy 28

At Tracy High, quarterback Eric Morales tied the score with a touchdown run with less than 30 seconds left in Saturday’s game. Asiah Scott booted the 2-point kick for the game-winner. Scott was 3 for 4 on point-after attempts. Nicco Cedolini’s earlier blocked kick also proved to be a deciding factor.

Kimoni Stanley anchored the offense with 161 rushing yards and two touchdowns.  Shane Crawford added a touchdown scamper to go with a team-high 13 tackles on defense. 

Joey Aguirre and Scott had eight and seven tackles, respectively. 

The Cowboys (9-2) take on the Delta Jr. Kings or Central Valley Panthers in the South championship next Sunday starting at 2 p.m.