YUBA CITY – No. 9 Sierra battled back and forth with eight-ranked Yuba City on Friday night and thanks to key defense down the stretch came away with a hard-fought 26-21 win to open the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV football playoffs on Honkers Field.

With 6:40 remaining in the game, the Timberwolves (6-5) leading 20-14 and the Honkers (6-5) driving, Yuba City appeared to convert a fourth down when the officials signaled first and goal at the 6-yard line. After vociferous protests from the Sierra bench, the officials opted for a measurement and the Honkers were short by the length of a football.

“It was a classic 8-9 playoff matchup, back and forth” Timberwolves coach Jeff Abrew said. “Both teams made some tremendous plays throughout the game. The play of the game was getting that fourth-down stop on the 6-yard line and then to drive down and score and go up by two scores was huge.

“It showed a lot of resolve by our players to hang in there because they were way bigger than us. Our guys buckled down and when we needed it the most we got it done.”

On the first play of the fourth period, Sierra’s Ryan Reyes snagged an interception inside the red zone.

“I saw the flat receiver come out, plant and go left.” Reyes said. “I went down, saw him throw it and got the interception.”

The Timberwolves’ Zak Willson (15 of 21 passing, 240 yards; 23 yards rushing) connected with A.J. Chapman (four receptions, 69 yards) for touchdown throws of 4 and 29 yards and 25 yards to Tali Valpuna (five receptions, 61 yards).

“The first one was a little screen pass we do in practice,” Chapman said. “It was like practice.

“The second one we called in a time out and I knew it was going to me. We run the two-minute drill in practice all the time so I was able to make that play.”

Willson scrambled a good part of the night and just when it looked like all was lost he would manage a big throw or a big run.

“I just want to thank my offensive line,” Willson said. “I know they were battling in the trenches and I just want to give it up to them.

“They did a tremendous job and my wide receivers did a great job getting open on that scramble drill. Even though sometimes things didn’t go our way we just persevered and we battled. This is a great team win.”

Santana Stevenson was the setup man for Sierra, returning the second-half kickoff 55 yards to set up Valpuna’s 25-yard touchdown pass. In the closing two-minutes of the third period, Stevenson hauled in a 69-yard pass from Willson, setting up a 6-yard scoring run by Darien East on the next play.

“Ever since I transferred, me and Zak (Willson) wehave been training,” Stevenson said. “We have had that connection and stuff and I think I made a great decision in transferring.

“This is my first year on special teams and I love it.”

East ground out 57 yards on 11 carries.

“I was just having fun,” East said. “I was happy to help the team, running the ball hard.

“We came out with the W and I am proud of my team.”

Sierra travels to Lincoln next Friday to face No. 1 Twelve Bridges at 7 p.m.