With just under 30 seconds remaining in a crucial league matchup, raucous chants of "T-I-N-O! T-I-N-O!" echoed about the Cupertino High gymnasium on Jan. 29. But moments later, the only noise was the sound of Pioneer fans filing out the door in disappointment, as the visiting Falcons boys' basketball team managed a last-second victory against host Cupertino.

When the fall sports season kicked off in early September, second-year football coach Tim Lugo had a vision for his team to play through Thanksgiving. Three months later, his vision was realized.

The Falcons earned a chance to play the afternoon ensuing Turkey Day with a hard-fought first-round 30-20 victory over Burlingame the week prior. They were slotted to play the No. 2 seeded Seaside Spartans at Westmont High.