APPLE VALLEY — Saugus went into Friday night’s CIF-SS semifinal game having already made history.

The program reached its first playoff semifinal since 2017 with a comeback win over Calabasas, and went on the road looking for more.

The Centurions’ run ended as they fell 21-7 to Apple Valley in the Division 7 playoffs. Apple Valley stopped Saugus’ offense after the Centurions gained one first down on the opening drive, and the Sun Devils’ run game led the way as they got on the board first with a 5-yard rushing touchdown from Noah Hardeman.

Saugus’ offense stalled again on their ensuing drive when running back Ty Hall dropped an open swing pass on third-and-10 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter – a play that embodied the Centurions’ play on the night.

Multiple penalties on both sides marred the contest, some controversial, and Saugus’ head coach Jason Bornn commented on that postgame.

“This crew was, and I don’t care, you can quote me, it was the worst officiating job I’ve seen in a very long time. For both sides, not just for us,” Bornn said.

Aside from that, multiple turnovers hurt Saugus’ momentum, including a fumble from quarterback Jake Nuttall when the Centurions had a goal-to-go situation at the Apple Valley 8-yard-line while trailing 21-7 midway through the third quarter.

That was Nuttall’s final of three turnovers in the game and Apple Valley’s run-heavy ball control offense shortened the game throughout. Hardeman had two touchdowns in the contest and most of their offense ran through his legs, and Saugus was never able to get a true foothold in the game.

Saugus’ last true chance at getting back in the game came with just under seven minutes left.

After a Saugus penalty, they faced a fourth-and-goal from the 27-yard line and still trailed by 14. Nuttall extended the play, rolled to his right, and fired a pass that was just too high for the outstretched hands of junior receiver Landon Lattimore.

Apple Valley’s run game drained most of the clock, putting an end to a historic season for Saugus, but one that could be the start of good things going forward for a roster with some young players.

Saugus finished 0-10 and 2-8 in their last two seasons before tying a school record with 10 wins this season.

“It’s a testament to their character. It’s a testament to their resiliency.” Bornn said about the team’s turnaround. “Never giving up, never tapping out, always fighting and competing and you know, just staying with it even though things didn’t go their way.”