
By TOM CONNOLLY
Special to OCVarsity
LA HABRA -- Sunny Hills scored four touchdowns in the second half to break open a close game and went on to defeat Sonora, 42-21, to finish in third place in the Freeway League and earn a CIF-SS playoff birth.
The Lancers’ (6-4, 3-2) victory, coupled with Troy’s loss to Fullerton, gave Sunny Hills its first playoff berth in four years. The Raiders finished the season 3-7 overall, 1-4 in league.
“Going to the playoffs validates all of the hard work these kids have put in for seven months,” Sunny Hills coach Marcello Giuliano said. “I ask a lot of these kids and I told them there are no guarantees — now look at them.”
Elliot Colby scored on touchdowns runs of 7, 9 and 5 yards for the Lancers.
“I’m so overjoyed right now I can hardly talk,” Colby said. “This is the best feeling of my life.”
Leading 14-13 at halftime, the Lancers forced two third-quarter turnovers and converted both into TDs — a 5-yard TD run by Colby and a 30-yard TD run by Johnny Nguyen.
Brett Trump added a 5-yard touchdown as Sunny Hills led, 35-13, after three quarters.
Keep up the hard work Sunny Hills! Its good to see you moving up the ladder! The 1983 loss to Sunny Hills in the CIF Championship game was a tough pill to swallow. The Freeway League needs good teams and its nice to see your accomplishments this year! Play HARD!
Dino Darling
LHHS Football Booster President
great job lancers. i would guess cosches devaney/boyatt are proud of you today. the way you guys hung around with us was inspirering compared with the rest of the league/indians included. i personally see you guys hanging in the play offs trough the 1st round. go lancers!!!!
ex lancer,
Do you mean Coach Giuliano? This is his first year as HC at Sunny Hills.
Devaney was the Head Coach at Sunny Hills in the 1980s & 1990s when numerous league titles and 3 CIF Championships.
Congratulations to the Lancers! Nice to see the program back in the mix!
thanks for the back up ,old school you know what I was implying. I played for boyett and watched the devaney decades,and their 3 champs with alum pride. now im a proud and happy hilander,that has suffered the put downs of a once proud program i hailed from,constantly reminding the clan of the lancers 3 rings. the knew coach has done a great job turnung it around and im sticking to my guns here, you guys will hang around for a couple of rounds in the play offs,depending on your brackett. Ive seen a couple of the other qualifiers, and all the teams other than la habra ,and maybe foothill are in for a crap shoot , so put your heart on your sleeves boys, suck it up and kick some arse!!!!! while you can GO LANCERS!!!!!
Congratualations to the Lancer football team and Coach Giuliano and his staff for making the CIF playoffs!
Our hats are off to Coach Giuliano for the exceptional job he and his staff have done this year turning the Sunny Hills football program around. Keep up the good work.
Can't wait for next week....Go Lancers!
Good Job Lancers...Great to see you guys having a great season. Coach brought back the tradition and look were you guys are. Let's bring back a championship