Serra High defender Jordi Kata homed in on Monte Vista quarterback Maurice Payne when his team badly needed a big play. Kata didn't disappoint.

Kata sacked Payne on the Monarchs' last possession on a fourth-and-6 desperation play to all but seal the Conquistadors' 9-7 first-round victory in the San Diego Section Division III playoffs. It was the Conquistadors' first playoff win since 2002.

“Coach just told me I needed to go out and get it done,” Kata said.

During a wild season in which the Serra offense has sparked several come-from-behind victories in the team's run to the Western League title, it was only fair the Conquistadors defense came up huge when they needed it most.

“The defense was fantastic,” said Serra coach Brian Basteyns. “We thought we could stop the inside run and bring pressure from the edge.”

Serra entered the contest without leading receiver Andrew Nycum, who suffered a shoulder injury in the regular-season finale.

The game was marred by turnovers (four for each team) and sloppy play that led to a frantic finish after both teams' star running backs had fumbled the ball away when it appeared triumph was within reach.

For the first half of the game, a total of five turnovers were committed between the squads.

The scoring drought lasted until 5:03 remained in the first half, when Conquistadors quarterback Arthur Stewart hit tight end Colton Bradley (8 catches, 98 yards, TD) with a dart over the middle for a 15-yard touchdown. The PAT was blocked, leaving Serra with a 6-0 lead at the half.

The game was a defensive struggle to this point, but it wasn't without standouts, especially on the Serra side.

Kaylen Bryan intercepted a pair of Payne's passes, the second of which he returned from deep in Serra territory to the Monarchs' 48.

“I just saw the ball in the air and I attacked it,” said Bryan. “At first, I thought I was going to go all the way when I was making moves and missing tackles.”

Serra defender Blake Bailey had a sack and stripped the ball while pressuring the Monte Vista QB, and Kata also recovered a fumble for the home team.

Momentum shifted quickly, though, just as the Conquistadors were about to add to their lead early in the second half.

After converting on fourth-and-3 with a 10-yard hookup to wideout Willie Wilson, Stewart threw a costly pick that was returned 67 yards by the Monarchs'Shamar Barnes.

It led to an eventual 3-yard sneak by Payne to give the visitors a one-point advantage after the PAT.

After a 27-yard field goal by Serra kicker Ryan Smalley provided what would end up being the winning margin, the fumble-fest between Monte Vista running back Nick Williams and Serra's Tyler Bailey began.

“This kind of game is nerve-wracking, with our emotions up and down,” Bradley said. “But it's better to win one like this than lose it.”

The Conquistadors will next face Valhalla in the Division III quarterfinals.