Ventura, CA — Stop. Hitch. Sprint to the corner. For weeks, Buena High has had that pass play in its back pocket. And when it consistently worked to perfection in practice, all that remained was the right moment to use it. With 24.6 seconds left in the game and Buena trailing by one point on a fourth-and-4, it was now or never. Zach Carter delivered a strike to Colin Guenther, who caught it and broke away from the defender for a 40-yard touchdown as Buena defeated Santa Ynez, 25-18, in a Pacific View League game on Friday night at home. It was the fourth game decided in the final minute — three by one point — this season for Buena (4-3, 2-0), which is 2-2 in those close encounters. "This time we were pushing ahead for the win," said Buena coach Ryan Bolland, "instead of trying to hold someone off." Carter had a monster game, completing 19 of 24 passes for 290 yards and two scores, as well as rushing for 119 yards, including a 58-yard TD run. Santa Ynez quarterback Luke Gildred passed for 147 yards and rushed for 101. Leonel Valencia kicked four field goals. Valencia's last field goal — a 25-yard boot with 2:25 remaining — enabled Santa Ynez (5-2, 1-1) to take a 19-18 lead. Buena's game-winning drive nearly ended shortly after it began. Carter fumbled after being stopped behind the line of scrimmage. In a scramble for the ball, Buena recovered. Facing third-and-13, Carter completed a 17-yard pass to Guenther. Three plays later, Buena was on the Santa Ynez 40, needing one more big play just to get within field-goal range. Or better. Out of the back pocket came the old stop, hitch and corner route. "We had talked about that being open all week," said Carter. "Even if he (Guenther) doesn't turn the corner," Bolland said, "it gives us an opportunity to win the game. "It was nice after all the mistakes we made, we find a way to be great at the end and win." Santa Ynez dominated early. Gildred scored on a 7-yard run in the first quarter and Valencia added field goals of 36 and 33 yards in the second as Santa Ynez jumped out to a 13-0 lead with 51.4 seconds remaining in the half. With Carter in danger of being sacked at his own five, it appeared Buena would leave for its locker room scoreless. In came offensive lineman Miles Medina with block to spring Carter loose. "I saw a lot of hands going up," said Carter. "So I thought they wanted me to throw it up." Kaden Anderson not only came up the the reception, but some open space. He outran two defensive backs into the end zone to complete an 80-yard TD play with 33.4 seconds left in the half. Buena was successful on a two-point conversion to go into intermission down 13-8. Valencia's third field goal made it 16-8 Santa Ynez early in the third quarter. Ninety-six seconds later, Buena pulled within 16-15 after a 58-yard TD run by Carter. Brandon Rice's 26-yard field goal gave Buena its first lead, 18-16, with 10:40 left in the game. "We knew that they were going to be one of the best teams that we face all year," said Carter. "They played a hell of a game." Santa Ynez was able to move the ball consistently between the 20s, but came up short inside the red zone. After having a first-and-goal at the Buena 9 on its first possession of the third quarter, Santa Ynez had to settle for a field goal. Same goes for the closing minutes of the game. Santa Ynez was stopped for a five-yard loss on a third-and-goal at the Buena 3. Valencia came on to make his fourth field goal. "We didn't play up to our level early," said Bolland. "They adjusted to the game. Santa Ynez is big and physical. This was a game of growth for these guys." Next week, Buena will be on the road against San Marcos and Santa Ynez will host Ventura. The showdown for the league title could happen Oct. 22 when Buena faces crosstown rival Ventura at Larrabee Stadium.