CHULA VISTA — One running back thought he scored in overtime but it was ruled he didn’t. Another back left no doubt, crossing the goal line, standing up, ball securely in hand.

Lincoln High School’s Aden Jackson scored on a 16-yard run in overtime to give the No. 1-seeded Hornets a 13-7 Open Division semifinal win over fourth-seeded Mission Hills on Friday night at Southwestern College. Lincoln advances to the Open Division championship game next Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium to face Western League rival Cathedral Catholic, which beat La Costa Canyon 27-6.

While Jackson delivered the game’s deciding play, the one that will be talked about, argued and debated for a long, long time occurred on Mission Hills’ opening possession of OT. On the Grizzlies’ first play in overtime from the Lincoln 25, Giovanni Harte ran off left tackle, found a crease and headed down the sideline toward the goal line.

Harte was carrying the ball in his left hand and it appeared the ball broke the plane of the goal line. But Lincoln linebacker Niko Ta’a punched the ball out of Harte’s hand, and the ball rolled out of the end zone.

While Mission Hills’ players celebrated, thinking Harte had scored, an official ruled the play a fumble. After the officials huddled to confer, the call stood.

Three plays later, Jackson scored, enabling the Hornets to win a wild, emotional game that saw the ball-control Grizzlies run 34 second-half plays to Lincoln’s eight.

Asked if he thought Harte scored, a frustrated Mission Hills head coach Chris Hauser said: “Of course I did.”

Harte, who carried 30 times for 129 yards, was despondent after the game. After being consoled by an assistant coach and quarterback Troy Huhn, Harte said that like his coach, he thought he scored. He said he couldn’t remember if anyone knocked the ball out of his hand.

“I’m just really upset,” Harte said. “I knew the game came down to that play right there. The momentum completely shifted, and I just feel terrible. It’s my senior year, and now that’s the biggest play of the year.”

Lincolns Aden Jackson (2) runs the ball in for a touchdown against Mission Hills Aiden Del Gatto (36) during overtime in the CIF San Diego Section Open Division semifinal game at Southwestern College on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Chula Vista, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

At first, Ta’a didn’t know he forced the fumble. He knocked the ball out with his right fist, landed on his fist, lost his breath and was face down in the end zone for minutes.

“I thought they scored,” Ta’a said.

His reaction when he realized the turnaround?

“I was speechless,” he said. “I couldn’t believe I made the play. I kept telling myself I was going to make a play, but I just didn’t know when.”

Lincoln led 7-0 at halftime, setting the stage for a bizarre second half.

Mission Hills started the second half on its 20. The Grizzlies held the ball for 22 plays, for all of the third quarter, plus another 2:48 of the fourth quarter, drove 72 yards … and didn’t score.

On fourth down from the Lincoln 8, Huhn tossed an incomplete pass.

About spending the entire third quarter on the sideline, Jackson said: “That was definitely an odd experience.”

Mission Hills’ Patrick Fleming tackles Lincolns Aden Jackson (2) during the CIF San Diego Section Open Division semifinal game at Southwestern College on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Chula Vista, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

After Mission Hills’ lengthy drive, Lincoln held the ball all of four plays before punting.

Mission Hills took over on its 40 with 7:45 to play in regulation and, again, methodically drove 60 yards, this time in 16 plays. The Grizzlies scored with 26.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard Huhn pass to freshman Brayden Roberson.

At first, the Grizzlies were prepared to go for a two-point conversion and the win. But after a delay of game, Mission Hills kicked the PAT, setting up OT.

In OT, Jackson left no doubt, busting off right tackle and rumbling into the end zone.

“First, I made sure I held onto the ball,” Jackson said. “Ball security. Then I made some reads. My blockers did their job and then I just ran my hardest. Luckily, I did get in the end zone.”

And of that, there was no debate.

Lincoln 13, Mission Hills 7 (OT)

Mission Hills 0 0 0 7 0 — 7

Lincoln 0 7 0 0 6 — 13

L — Curtis 1 run (Radilla-Benevidez kick)

MH — Roberson 3 pass from Huhn (Boyack kick)

L — Jackson 16 run