Kyle Donahue of San Juan Hills comes through as kicker

San Juan Hills had the right player to turn to in the final seconds of its Southern Section Division 2 football playoff game against Downey Friday night. Kyle Donahue kicked a 24-yard field goal for a 28-27 victory.

Donahue’s rise this season is legitimate. He made 11 of 13 field goals and threw 93 percent of his kickoffs for touchbacks.

“He was precise and efficient,” said coach Robert Frith.

Donahue, a 17-year-old senior, has been playing football for 12 years. It wasn’t until he reached high school that he started kicking a soccer ball seriously. He only became San Juan Hills’ starter this season and now, nothing will stop him from playing as long as he can.

“I love it,” he says.

Downey tried to freeze him out with a timeout. He took the first kick before it was canceled out by a penalty. The second kick was also perfect.

“I was quickly packed. It was an incredible feeling,” he said.

There could be rain Friday for the next game against Los Alamitos, but Donahue said, “I feel good in all conditions. I’ve had a kick in the rain before.”

This is a daily look at positive happenings in high school sports. To submit news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.