PREP EXTRA: SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Troy’s Montgomery Rushes for 197 Yards

FULLERTON —  Troy took another step toward the defense of its Freeway League title with a 38-21 victory over La Habra Friday night at Fullerton High.

The Warriors (6-1, 2-0) followed a strong running game by Larry Montgomery, who had 197 yards and three touchdowns, to put away the Highlanders (2-4, 0-2). Frank Pacheco gained 75 yards and and Ryl Relatores 77.

Highlanders’ quarterback Sonje Berg passed for 248 yards and three touchdowns, but also had four interceptions that snuffed potential scoring drives. Twelve Highlanders were sidelined because of injuries, but La Habra looked good early.

It took the opening kickoff and went on an 84-yard drive that included four receptions by Will McIntosh for 57 yards, the last being a 10-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead.

“We were pretty confused with our coverage in the beginning, but once we got that straightened out, I thought our defense played well,” Troy Head Coach John Turek said.

The Warriors struck back with 76-yard drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown run by Montgomery. The extra point was blocked and La Habra led, 7-6, at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Highlanders got the ball at the 49-yard line after a Warrior punt. After an offsides penalty, Berg completed three consecutive passes for 54 yards and a touchdown to McIntosh and a 14-6 Highlander lead.

From there, the Warriors took over. On their next possession, Montgomery went right and broke to the sideline for a 45-yard run to the Highlander 34-yard line.

Four plays later, Kevin Gray hit Jim Wise for a 13-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion tied the score, 14-14, at the half.