Hart was riding a 11-game winning streak coming into the quarterfinals and was hitting on all cylinders in just about every aspect of the game. The Indians clearly were the favorites against Crescenta Valley but favorites on paper don't count and that's why the game is played on the field.

Crescenta Valley's tactic was obvious from the start: pack the offensive linemen close together with very close splits and just pound the ball up the middle of the field, use up the clock and keep the Hart offense off the field. It was an effective tactic. The CV boys did consume a lot of clock but really couldn't move the ball effectively and kept giving it back to Hart on punts. (CV controlled the ball 32 out of 48 minutes. Hart had the ball only about 6 minutes in the entire second half.)

Every time Hart got the ball, almost always very deep in their own territory, the Indians easily -- effortlessly -- moved the ball up the field and then WHAM, a turnover, a total of 6: 3 interceptions and 3 fumbles, all at very critical times.

As the game neared its end, Hart probably had close to double the offensive output of CV but, with all the turnovers was lucky to still be in the game, trailing 13-7.

With about a minute to go, Hart had the ball and moved smartly downfield. The Indians got down to about the CV 14 and no time outs. On third down (if I recall correctly), Delmatoff dropped back and threw a pass to his left. It bounced off somebody and went straight up in the air at about the 1-yard line. There, a CV linebacker was lying flat on his back. The ball floated down and landed on his chest like manna from heaven. He wrapped his arms around it. Interception! CV ran out the last minute and won. I suspect, even to this day, this game remains as one of the most devasting losses in the Herrington era. There have been other tough losses in other years but most have been in the regular season to teams every bit as capable as Hart. Hart clearly was the "better" team in this game and on the way to the championship. I bet it causes pain today to any player who thinks about it.

This game still is about the most painful loss I can remember for Hart. Arguably the 1992 team was the best non-championship team ever at Hart.