PREP EXTRA / SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS : DIVISION VII : Pierce Throws, Catches, Intercepts in South Hills’ Victory

GARDEN GROVE —  Quarterback Brett Pierce made his biggest plays as a defender to lead West Covina South Hills past Los Amigos, 14-3, in a Southern Section Division VII playoff game Friday night at Garden Grove High.

Pierce picked off counterpart Ape Tuato three times, returning the last one to the Lobos’ six-yard line. Mikal Meister cut through the Los Amigos defense on the next play to seal the victory with the Huskies’ final score.

Pierce, nursing a sore hamstring, also came up big offensively. He opened the scoring for South Hills (9-2) by hitting brother Sean Pierce with a touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone.

Brett Pierce also caught a 53-yard flea-flicker from Jose Vera after flipping the ball laterally to Vera and sprinting down field. Pierce completed six of 18 passes for 57 yards.

Los Amigos (9-2) blew several scoring chances after opening the game with a 28-yard field goal by Warren Roberge. The Lobos rolled up 163 yards offense in the first half, but turned the ball over three times, all in South Hills territory.

The Lobos had their best chance to get in the end zone in the third quarter. Tuato connected on passes of 37, five, and 15 yards to drive Los Amigos to the nine-yard line. But the Huskies’ defense swarmed running back Greg Fausto on third down to end the threat.

South Hills Coach Steve Bogan credited the pass rush, along with Pierce’s all-around play, for stoping the Lobos. “We kept enough pressure on (Tuato) so he couldn’t throw comfortably,” Bogan said.