YUCAIPA —The Yucaipa High football team calls the play “Verts Y Alert.” Senior Damian Miller ran the route to perfection and made the 34-yard reception from quarterback Deace Turner that led to the winning score Friday night in Yucaipa’s 10-7 playoff victory against Peninsula of Rolling Hills Estates. Yucaipa will now host Warren on Friday, Nov. 22 in the CIF-Southern Section Division 7 semifinals. The Thunderbirds (8-4) hadn’t been to the semis during coach Justin Price’s 15-year tenure. The program hasn’t been there since 1997. Four players after Miller’s key catch that took Yucaipa to the 8-yard line, running back Logan Barbour banged over from the 1-yard line to provide the winning touchdown for the T-Birds with 3:36 left. Miller was elated after the game. “We tried that play a few times and it didn’t work out,” he said of his long reception. “But we came back to it and executed it, and it worked great. It got us good field position, and then my boy Logan stuffed it into the end zone.” The history-making night is not lost on Miller. “It’s a great feeling,” he said. “We haven’t done this in a long time and it’s awesome to be able to celebrate it with my teammates.” But Peninsula (7-5) still had plenty of time. Following a Yucaipa facemask penalty on the ensuing kickoff, Peninsula got the ball on the 50. The Panthers drove inside the T-Bird 20 before a holding penalty set them back. They settled for attempting a 40-yard field goal with 1:01 left, but it was blocked by Yucaipa defensive end Dean Kirkland, who had a huge game for the T-Birds. Peninsula still had two timeouts, but a first down by Barbour ended the matter. “It felt amazing,” Barbour said. “I’m really happy to get to play another week of football. I think our defense really stepped up when it needed to.” Price, a former Apple Valley High quarterback, is delighted to advance to the semis. “I’m excited – it’s my first time getting there,” he said. Trailing 3-0, Peninsula began a go-ahead drive from its own 31 late in the third quarter. Quarterback Mario Ruggiero completed some key passes to Sean Dunn to help move the ball into position for Ruggiero’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Hudson Meyer. Peninsula led 7-3 with 10:29 left in the game. It was after an exchange of three-and-outs when Yucaipa started its game-winning drive. “When it came down to it, we had to get a score and we got it,” Price said. “I’m really proud of the guys.” Just as proud of his team was Peninsula coach David Young. “I just feel for my boys right now because we wanted to play another week, but we just fell short,” Young said. “But us getting to the second round was huge, coming from where we had been (going 3-7 the three previous years).” Related Articles High School Sports | Vista Murrieta football team shuts down Cajon in Division 3 quarterfinals High School Sports | George Toia sparks Summit football past Huntington Beach, into CIF semifinals High School Sports | San Gorgonio overcomes Grand Terrace, reaches Division 11 football semifinal High School Sports | Murrieta Mesa football tops Northwood to reach CIF-SS Division 6 semifinals High School Sports | Carter upsets Canyon Spring, moves on to football semifinal Barbour rushed for 95 tough yards on 28 carries and scored one touchdown. Turner added 72 yards on the ground and had the key completion to Miller. The Yucaipa offensive line of John Cooke, Seth Stevens, Jeremiah Allen, Raymond Rios, and Daniel Sanchez did a nice job of opening holes and protecting Turner when it mattered most. Junior running back Kamran Dowlatshai again sparkled for Peninsula, rushing for 87 yards on 24 carries.