Mountain View’s prayer was answered Friday night.

Forrest Love came down in the end zone with a catch on what Cougars coach Brian Crum described as a “Hail Mary” pass play with 4.9 seconds left. Then Shandon Malikowski made a difficult catch near the end line for a two-point conversion, and Mountain View claimed a 43-42 nonleague football win over North Medford.

The home-field victory was not assured until the Cougars stopped the Black Tornado’s final play at about the Mountain View 15-yard line as time expired.

Love’s late touchdown catch was his second of the night.

“We sent three guys down the side, and he (Love) got behind the defense and caught it in the end zone,” said Crum of the 43-yard TD that got the Cougars within 42-41.

Colton Burkhardt, who uncorked the long pass to Love, connected again on the decisive conversion attempt. Crum said he elected to go for two rather than kick for the tie to avoid giving North Medford and its star running back, Elias Spence, a chance to win it in overtime.

“I just felt their running back, he’s such a good football player,” said Crum. “I didn’t want him to get back out there and have a chance to beat us.”

The Black Tornado (2-2) lost in similar fashion the previous week to Bend High when the Lava Bears scored a two-point conversion to win 28-27 in overtime at North Medford.

Love finished with eight catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Nalique Hogan, Jonas Larson and Burkhardt each had a rushing touchdown for the Cougars (3-1), and Nate Chamberlain returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown that put Mountain View up 35-28 late in the third quarter.