WATCH: Tipped pass leads to miracle finish in California playoffs

By Staff Report Dec 4, 2023, 11:00am

Birmingham advances to Division 3-AA state championship game thanks to the heroics of senior wide receiver Devyn Jackson.

A high school football Hail Mary for the ages Friday night sent Birmingham (Lake Balboa) to California's Division 3-AA state championship game. The Patriots knocked off Del Norte (San Diego, Calif.) 30-28 after junior quarterback Kingston Tisdell launched a late pass from 52 yards out that was fortuitously tipped to senior wide receiver Devyn Jackson for a touchdown with no time remaining on the clock.

Birmingham started the drive down 28-24 at their own 20-yard line with 28 seconds left. After two plays where the Patriots went 28 yards, Tisdell took the final snap with four seconds left on the clock. The three-star signal caller avoided the pass rush and chucked the pass deep.

It was tipped in the air by senior teammate Peyton Waters and into the hands of Jackson, who caught the ball at the 12-yard line and ran into the end zone for six and the 30-28 win.

The win sends Birmingham back to the state championship for the first time since 2021 when the Patriots fell to McClymonds (Oakland) This year Birmingham will take on Acalanes (Lafayette) on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Saddleback College.


Birmingham wide receiver Devyn Jackson caught a 52-yard Hail Mary pass that was tipped with no time remaining to win 30-28 and send the Patriots to California's Division 3-AA state championship game. (Photo: Kevin Ballton)
Birmingham wide receiver Devyn Jackson caught a 52-yard Hail Mary pass that was tipped with no time remaining to win 30-28 and send the Patriots to California's Division 3-AA state championship game. (Photo: Kevin Ballton)