Standing on the precipice of a loss likely to doom its playoff hopes, Mark DeLuise and Wayne Valley found a way back from the brink.

DeLuise made a game-saving catch on a fourth-down play, then caught the winning touchdown pass from Nick Goodwin with 30 seconds left as the Indians edged Northern Highlands 21-18. The senior had 86 receiving yards on the night, and also ran for 139 yards and a touchdown.

Goodwin, the Wayne Valley quarterback, was an impressive 19-for-26 for 270 yards. He had one pass picked off but threw two touchdowns, including one earlier in the game to Ryan Monteyne.

Wayne Valley built a 14-0 lead in the third quarter, but Northern Highlands rallied behind Jelani Garvin. In his biggest game for the Highlanders, Garvin had 265 yards of total offense, scoring once on the ground and later on a pass reception.

Richie Holle hit Dylan Ferrara with a touchdown pass that completed the Highlands comeback, giving the visitors an 18-14 lead. But there was enough time for Wayne Valley to pull the game out.

The key play came on a 4th-and-15 on the decisive drive. Goodwin was forced from the pocket as he looked for a receiver, then finally threw the ball toward DeLuise, who was able to outleap his defender to get his hands on the football. He juggled it as he fell to the ground, but hung on to keep the drive alive.

The win boosts the Indians to 4-2, keeping them in the thick of the playoff hunt in the difficult North 1, Group IV section. This week's game at Lakeland looms as another must-win contest.

Northern Highlands falls to 2-4.

For sports video highlights of this Big North Conference high school football game, click play in the box at left.