By LOU PONSI
OCVarsity staff
BUENA PARK — La Habra’s 49-7 Freeway League victory over Buena Park on Thursday at Buena Park High gave Highlanders coach Frank Mazzotta the chance to rest his starters and give his second- and third-stringers plenty of playing time.
The victory also clinched first place outright for the Highlanders (8-2, 5-0), who open the first round of the Southwest Division playoffs at home next week. (Full game stats.)
The game also saw the league’s new mercy rule — mandating a running clock when a team goes ahead by 42 points — implemented early.
The Highlanders scored 28 in first quarter as they scored on their first six possessions.
The first score came on their second play from scrimmage: a 39-yard pass from Randall Nygren to Ronnie Hillman.
Hillman then scored on a 48-yard run followed by a 5-yard scoring from Josh Quezada and an 8-yard touchdown pass from Nygren to John Rae.
After Hillman’s 2-yard touchdown catch put the Highlanders up, 42-0, with 8:35 remaining in the second quarter, the rest of the contest was played with the clock running.
Mazzotta replaced his starters shortly before halftime.
Anticipating an easy victory, Mazzotta said before the game that he pitted his starting offense against the starting defense all week in practice.
“We had a great week of practice,” he said.
Nygren completed 6 of 7 passes for 97 yards and four touchdowns before sitting out the second half.
Hillman finished with 107 yards of offense and scored two touchdowns receiving and one rushing.
Cain Flores scored the only touchdown for Buena Park (1-9, 0-5).
David Acevedo and Andre Uribe had interceptions for the Highlanders. Jake Peppard recored two sacks.
great season highlanders. another league title, city champions, and undefeated in league.
Congratulations to my friends on the team.
Coyotes are just plain bad!!!!
So the only win Buena Park had this year was a fluke. I watched in horror and was wondering what in the heck was Buena Parks coach was thinking or what was his game plan? These poor kids have tried hard however they couldn’t accomplish much against anybody. It all starts with the coaches and apparently the lack of leadership in the coaching staff has prevailed.
CONGRADS TO THE LA HABRA HIGHLANDERS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
WAY TO GO LH ! YOU GUYS ARE THE #1 TEAM GOOD LUCK IN THE
CIF
That a way LH! Keep makings your fans proud - CHAMPIONS!
Buena Park kids try as hard as anybody and I feel bad for those kids who suit up every game, try as hard as they can and still get beaten badly. The area the school draws from is not a real “football hotbead”, and there is no desire for many of the students to play football. Wrestling,….that’s another story, always good.
Well im a highlander fan all the way….. Good luck guys in the playoffs.. But i know we will do a awsome job.. We have great coaching staff and great fans….
Im also very proud of Buena Park players u guys keep up the good job in school and keep on playing sports good job boys……