DIVISIONS III-IV FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

Newhall Hart 38, Antelope Valley 9--Mickey Mercado, a 5-foot-5, 143-pound senior, rushed for 132 yards in 11 carries and scored three touchdowns as Hart (11-0) moved a step closer to winning its fourth consecutive Division III championship with a quarterfinal victory at Antelope Valley.

Quarterback Matt Moore completed 20 of 29 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns. Hart opened a 24-0 halftime lead and was never threatened, despite a 236-yard rushing performance by option quarterback Johnny Walker of Antelope Valley (8-4).

Mercado, elevated to a starting role because of a broken leg suffered by Tim Gregory in Week 7, scored on runs of two and 50 yards and caught a 13-yard shovel pass from Moore for his third score. He also contributed several tackles at linebacker.