St. Paul ends its 26-year championship draught

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The draught is over. Dominance reigned. And the St. Paul Swordsmen pummeled Palmdale, 42-14, Friday night to win their first section crown since 1981.

Yes, say it, the Swordsmen are Western Division champions.

All night long, it was bulldozing rushes of Aubrey Haynes, who scored on runs of 30, 57, four and 13 yards and finished with 188 yards.

Afterward, he stood off the sidelines and cried -- joyous tears. ‘My eyes started tearing up with four minutes to go,’ he said. ‘It’s a crazy feeling. Insane.’

St. Paul’s Luis Garcia scored on a one-yard bolt and also had a 55-yard interception return, Adrian Montecinos launched a 40-yard field goal and Garrett Modlin ran in a three-yard score to seal the victory for St. Paul (10-4).

‘Aw, man,’ Garcia said, ‘I’m just speechless.’

-- Anthony Stitt