Quarterback Tyler Gums’ fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Riley Beames on Saturday wasn’t enough to keep the Placer Junior Hillmen’s Jr. Midget team in the playoffs.

The Junior Hillmen’s season ended with a 19-6 loss to the Natomas Junior Nighthawks at Lincoln High School.

Natomas used three big plays — runs of 45 and 50 yards and a 70-yard interception return — to beat Placer (6-3). The 50-yard run came in the fourth quarter after the Junior Hillmen’s TD pass cut the Junior Nighthawks’ lead to 12-6.

“Our kids played a tough game,” Junior Hillmen coach Jim Gray said. “I was very proud of their effort in the playoffs and throughout the season. Natomas is a tough team and we battled with them all four quarters.”