PREP FOOTBALL : Freeway League Roundup : La Habra Wins Title With 24-13 Victory

La Habra High School, sparked by David Gutierrez, claimed its sixth Freeway League championship in 7 years with a 24-13 victory over mistake-prone Buena Park Thursday night at Buena Park.

The Highlanders (6-3-1, 4-0-1) opened the scoring with a 20-yard field goal by David Karaba in the first half, then scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game away.

Gutierrez, a senior who plays wide receiver and defensive back, caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Al Razo and intercepted three passes. Mark Brown added 152 yards in 19 carries and had a touchdown for the Highlanders.

The Coyotes (2-7-1, 0-5) remained winless in league play for the fifth consecutive year. The Coyotes lost 5 fumbles along with Gutierrez’s 3 interceptions.

Buena Park scored late in the game on a 1-yard run by Ken Burroughs and on a blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone by Ed King.

Buena Park quarterback Matt Acevedo completed 9 of 23 passes for 121 yards. He also rushed for 30 yards in 9 carries, but fumbled once.

The teams combined for 22 penalties for 212 yards.

Sunny Hills 13, Troy 12--Sunny Hills clinched the No. 2 spot in the league and a playoff berth with the comeback victory in front of about 750 at Fullerton District Stadium.

The Lancers (8-2, 4-1) finished second to La Habra. The Warriors (6-3-1, 2-3) still have an outside chance to get into the playoffs as a wild-card team.

Running back Brian Pizula scored both touchdowns for Sunny Hills on runs of 2 and 3 yards. The second touchdown came with 6:02 left in the game and Troy leading, 12-7. Sunny Hills went for a 2-point conversion but the pass failed.

Pizula, a junior, gained 105 yards in 17 carries to push his season rushing total to 881 yards.

Troy led, 6-0, on a 1-yard run by Chris Conway with 6:23 left in the first quarter. Troy failed on a 2-point conversion run.

Sunny Hills took the lead, 7-6, when Pizula scored on a 2-yard run and Mike Mitobe kicked the extra point with 3:21 left in the half.

Troy took the lead again with 33 seconds left in the third quarter on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Brad Zeppieri. Troy’s 2-point conversion pass was called back because the Warriors had an ineligible receiver downfield. Troy was then called for delay of game. Zeppieri was then called for passing beyond the line of scrimmage and Troy failed on the conversion.

Fullerton 35, Sonora 6--Backup quarterback Brent Bice threw 3 second-quarter touchdown pases to lead the Indians in front of 800 at La Habra High School.

The victory clinched a playoff berth for Fullerton (5-4-1, 3-1-1).

Bice started in place of Rene Arias, who has an injured leg. Bice established himself early with a 54-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

He then connected with wide receiver John Bailey on touchdown passes of 35 and 54 yards. He also threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to running back Glenn Eggert.

Bice completed 5 of 10 passes for 172 yards. He also scored on a 54-yard touchdown in first quarter. The Indians led at halftime, 28-0.

Running back Steve DePhillips scored Fullerton’s final touchdown on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter. DePhillips finished with 134 yards in 22 carries.

Sonora’s only touchdown came on running back Marcus Garrett’s 1-yard run. Sonora finished the season 1-9 overall and 1-4 in league.