College of San Mateo linebacker Ashanti Watson knew exactly what the open field in front of him meant. The Bulldogs (10-1) are headed to the state football championship game.

Watson's 76-yard interception return for a touchdown with just over a minute remaining in the Bulldog Bowl sealed CSM's 31-20 victory over visiting Reedley in Saturday's Northern California title game.

"When I got that pick, I thought I was dreaming," said Watson, whose team hosts the winner of the Southern California playoffs for the state championship on Dec. 12. "I didn't know if it was real or not."

CSM's path to its first state title game "didn't come easy," as coach Bret Pollack said. Reedley (6-5) limited the state's top-ranked rushing attack to 132 yards on 51 carries, well below the Bulldogs' average of 293.5 yards. And CSM was outgained 368-341.

But the Bulldogs, ranked No. 2 in California, prevailed largely because they made the critical plays in the passing game on offense and defense. CSM had three interceptions, the clincher by Watson on a Jess Lownsbury pass when 15th-ranked Reedley was driving for the potential go-ahead touchdown.

Facing a Reedley defense that led Northern California with 24 interceptions, CSM quarterback Matt Pelesasa (14-for-27 passing for 209 yards) threw three touchdown passes in a turnover-free performance.

CSM receiver John Webster, named the offensive player of the game, twice eluded superb coverage with leaping

"We've been hearing it this whole week," said Webster, who had five receptions for 57 yards and two TDs. "They said, 'Don't even throw to that side of the field.'"

Pelesasa, who had a team-high 62 yards rushing, rifled an across-the-body pass for a 35-yard TD to Will Frazier. Joe Sampson and Dwaine Simpson had interceptions for CSM, and Watson added a blocked punt.

Sacramento City 40, Laney 17: Laney's four-game bowl winning streak came to a crashing halt. Sacramento City quarterback Cody Allen threw for 342 yards and four touchdowns as the Panthers (6-5) routed the Eagles in the second annual HiPoint Sports Eagle Bowl.

Laney (8-3) scored on a 21-yard touchdown run by Tyrone Hunter and a 6-yard pass from Jeff Murphy to Taulib Ikharo in the second half.

Allen completed 23 of 40 passes and threw touchdown passes of 8 yards to Victor Spencer and 22 yards to Robert Rogers as Sacramento took a 27-3 lead at the half.

"They were covering our wideouts with single safeties, and you can't do that with the speed we have," Allen said. "I thought they would change in the second half, but they still played man (defense)."

Laney took the opening kickoff and drove to the Panthers 22, but a 39-yard field goal attempt by Ernie Collins was low. After Sacramento scored twice to take a 14-0 lead, Collins kicked a 27-yard field goal with 7:20 left in the second quarter.

Laney missed a chance late in the first quarter when defensive lineman Paul Piukala intercepted an Allen pass at the Eagles 32. On the next play, running back CJ Anderson tried to leap over a Sacramento defender for extra yardage but fumbled the ball away after a 5-yard gain. The Panthers went 37 yards in five plays and scored on Allen's plunge from the 1 for a 14-0 lead.

Laney gained 404 yards of total offense (Hunter had 127 yards on 17 carries), but missed assignments and dropped passes dogged the Eagles.

"We didn't execute, we made a lot of mistakes and came out a little flat," coach Jay Uchiumi said.

Sacramento City rolled up 550 yards in total offense, the most the Eagles have given up all season. Murphy, in his last game at Laney, completed 13 of 30 for 183 yards.

— Scott Strain, correspondent