Buena Park was led by (from left) Elias Chavez, Nathan Arellano, John Hernandez, Pedro Azpeitia and Jacob Morales. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).
Buena Park scored 16 third-quarter points and then had to hold on before defeating Woodbridge 22-14 in an Omicron League football game Thursday night at University High School.
The Coyotes (5-5, 2-3) are still alive for a CIF playoff berth but will have to wait for the outcome of Friday’s University vs. Katella game at Uni. If Katella wins, Buena Park will earn a playoff spot, school officials confirmed.
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Coyotes’ Coach Mauricio Carmona said even if University wins on Friday they will seek an at-large playoff berth. In case of a three-way tie for third place in league, a coin flip was held before Thursday’s game to determine who advances to the playoffs. If University wins there will be a three-way tie for third place. In that case, Woodbridge advances to the playoffs as a result of winning a coin flip prior to Thursday’s game.
Coyotes’ junior running back Elias Chavez rushed for 133 yards and scored a touchdown and reserve quarterback Jacob Morales rushed for 74 yards and scored a touchdown to spark the Coyotes.
“I did it for my teammates,” said Chavez. “This win gives momentum and we’re hoping it’s enough to get us into the playoffs next week.”
Trailing 7-6 at halftime, Buena Park took the second-half kickoff and marched to the Warriors four-yard line before settling for Pedro Azpeitia’s 20-yard field goal – his third of the game – to give Buena Park a 9-7 lead.
On Woodbridge’s ensuing possession free Coyotes free safety, Qwantino Omellas, intercepted a Woodbridge pass which led to a Buena Park touchdown. Six plays following the turnover, Chavez scored on a four-yard TD run to up the Coyotes lead to 15-7.
The Warriors (2-8, 2-3) countered with a four-play, 52-yard scoring drive, capped off by freshman quarterback Waylon Stone’s 4-yard TD run, cutting the lead to 15-14.
However, Morales rallied the Coyotes and capped off a scoring drive with a 19-yard touchdown run, increasing Buena Park’s lead to 22-14 with 25 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Woodbridge had one final opportunity down the stretch and drove to the Coyotes’ five-yard line with three seconds remaining in the game. However, Buena Park cornerback Nathan Arellano intercepted a pass near the goal line to secure the victory.
“I was covering my zone and making containment,” said Arellano. “I watched the quarterback’s eyes, and I was able to make the interception.’’
Buena Park played without its starting quarterback, Kevin Garcia, who sustained a season-ending knee injury last week. Morales, a junior, took over and showed poise as he guided the Coyotes to three consecutive scoring drives in the third quarter.
“It’s a big game and a big win; I felt extra pressure, and I was nervous,” said Morales. “But it feels great to win.”
Stone was equally as impressive for Woodbridge. Stone rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown and passed for 155 yards and threw a TD pass.
“He’s so mature for a freshman; he plays way above his age,” said Woodbridge Coach Connor McBride. “He kept making big plays for us, all the way to the end.”
“We never stopped fighting,” said Stone. “I owe a lot of credit to my O-line and my receivers. However, there’s always room for improvement.”
On its first possession, Buena Park, using a strong running game, moved the ball to the Woodbridge five-yard line but had to settle for Azpeitia’s 22-yard field goal, giving the Coytes a 3-0 lead at the 4:42 mark of the opening quarter.
After a sluggish first quarter, the Warriors’ offense got rolling. Stone completed a short pass to running back David Bosley who raced 59 yards to the Coyotes 19-yard line. Two plays later, Stone tossed a nine-yard TD pass Jalen Webb as the Warriors took a 7-3 lead with 9:48 left in the half.
Both teams displayed some outstanding defensive play. Buena Park defenders Joshua Santillan, John Hernandez, Chris Ramos, and Joshua Penaloza recorded five sacks in the game. Woodbridge’s defense, led by David Bosley, Elijah Morris, Larry Lloyd, and Joey Coykendall, halted three Coyotes drives deep in Warriors’ territory and forced Buena Park to settle for field goals.
Notes:
—Twenty-five senior Woodbridge football players (Elijah Morris, Isaiah Avalos, Kayjahn Pitts, Gavin Robley, David Bosley, Jalen Webb, Makai Davis, Josh Deiley, Avery Hur, Aiden Wang, Hunter King, Colin Chen, Noah Yonemota, Tyrice Price, Fabian Grey, Connor Loy, Chris Maravilla, Larry Lloyd, Brady Beals, Ben Jenkins-amara, Cymon Blakey, Noel Bang, Adrian Oviedo, Adham Eltawheel, Steven Manning) and five senior cheerleaders (Tomai Gaughan, Valerie Goodnight, Jordyn Estus, Kiana Davis, Niki Hanendani) were honored in a ceremony on the field prior to Thursday’s game on senior night.
—Connor McBride gave a shout out to his mom and dad (Kathleen and Matthew), who are both Woodbridge graduates and his sister Kylie McBride, who is in her sixth year as head coach of the Woodbridge cheerleaders. Connor, a former Woodbridge running back, holds the career rushing records for the Warriors and his mom is a former Warriors basketball player.
—Buena Park Coach Mauricio Carmona, a former Buena Park offensive and defensive lineman, is in his first year as head coach of the Coyotes after spending 15 years as an assistant at Chino Hills. “Our kids have played with a chip on their shoulders this season and have battled four quarters each week despite our record,” he said.
—Azpeitia kicked field goals of 20, 22 and 40 yards for Buena Park. “I was never nervous even though they were talking trash when I lined to kick the field goals,” said Azpeitia. “I like smack talk. It gives me motivation. We’re trying to make history here.”
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