TORRANCE — Even the quarterback couldn't be sure.

Go for two? Place the whole game, heck, the entire season on a single play?

"It's a crazy game," Moorpark College's Bryan Randolph said at the conclusion of the Raiders showdown with El Camino College on Saturday night. "It's a tough decision, but you got to give our coaches credit. They made a great call."

In the end, Moorpark College football coach Jim Bittner opted to decide the showdown with No. 2 El Camino in the opening round of the Southern California Regionals on the single play.

After Xavier Walker had scored on a 5-yard run in the first overtime — matching the 4-yard rushing touchdown registered by El Camino's Jeremy Francis — Bittner bet the house, er, the season.

He sent out the PAT unit, called timeout, and changed his mind. He ordered the offense onto the field, to win or lose, by going for two points. It paid off, too.

Following an offside call against El Camino, Raiders fullback Marcus Hunt took the handoff from Randolph, and leapt into the end zone for the 2-point conversion and a heart-stopping 42-41 victory against the defending state community college champion.

Bittner said the decision was born of necessity.

"Have you seen our PAT kicks?" he said. "They've been going in sideways. I couldn't take the risk that we'd lose the game like said. Besides, I knew this football team was tired. The defense was tired. I didn't want to turn it into a shootout, and try to keep matching them."

Wide receiver Conrad Meadows agreed with the choice.

"You got to go for the win," he said. "You go with the chance to win the game right there."

The victory avenged last year's 31-27 loss to El Camino in the playoff opener, improved Moorpark to 9-2 and send the Raiders into Saturday's Regional semifinal game at third-seeded Mount San Antonio (8-2), a 49-14 winner over Antelope Valley.

For sure, the No. 7-ranked Raiders won't soon forget the victory over No. 2 El Camino, with heroes aplenty.

Randolph completed 15 of 27 passes for 248 yards, including touchdown throws of 72 and 83 yards to Meadows. Running back Walker rushed for 102 yards on 102.

The Raider defense kept what might be the state's most explosive offense under control, yielding yards and points grudgingly.

El Camino quarterback Boo Jackson had a cold night, completing just 8 of 26 passes for 164 yards. The Warriors' rushers tried to pick up the slack.

Moorpark's hot start, with two touchdowns in its first three offensive plays, set the tone for a dogfight.

The Raiders scored quickly, and from long distance on their second play from scrimmage, when Meadows took a quick slant from Randolph, juked out the defender, and raced 72 yards to the touchdown.

Just 1:55 into the game, Moorpark led 7-0.

El Camino picked up just 5 yards on its next series, then botched the punt when the snapper hiked it high over the kicker's head. By the time the Warriors jumped on the football, Moorpark had a first down at the El Camino 1-yard line.

Just one play later, Walker bulled in for the score and 14-0 lead with 10:51 still remaining in the first quarter.

"I think the start was huge for us," said Randolph.

"It gave us momentum, and I think it flustered El Camino. We showed we came to play."

Moorpark appeared on the brink of victory when Randolph and Meadows hooked up on an 83-yard touchdown pass at the top of the fourth period. But El Camino, trailing 34-27, struck back on its very next play from scrimmage when quarterback Boo Jackson found ace receiver Corey Surrency on the end of a 58-yard completion.

With a first-and-goal from the 3, Jeremy Spencer sped in for a 3-yard touchdown. With 14:32 remaining, the game was tied at 34-34.

After three periods, the two rivals were locked up at 27-27.

El Camino grabbed the lead by completing a 10-play, 63-yard scoring drives, all on runs. Ashley put up the score with a 6-yard scoring run.

Moorpark responded, tying up the score on Nico Grasu's second field goal, a 38-yarder with 2:51 left in the period.

By halftime, the fast start enabled Moorpark to post a 24-20 lead.

Trailing 14-0, El Camino went field goal, touchdown and touchdown on its next three possessions to take a 17-14 lead, thanks mostly to its running game.

The Raiders reclaimed the lead by driving 67 yards in seven plays, punctuated by Marcus Hunt's 1-yard touchdown.