LA HABRA – The atmosphere prior to Friday night’s Freeway League opener at La Habra High between Sonora and Sunny Hills had all the emotion and energy of a CIF playoff game and featured a pair of undefeated rivals.
However, it was the Raiders’ offensive line and Jacob Fimbres who stole the show.
The Sonora offensive line of Jorge Bernabe, Richard Negrete, Christian Dimas, Octavio Delgadillo, Julian Orozco and Ethan Cook controlled the line of scrimmage and Fimbres rushed for a career-high 310 yards and scored five touchdowns, lifting the Raiders to a 41-23 victory.
“I think this proves that Sonora is for real,” said Fimbres , who had touchdown runs of 70, 61, 2 and 10 yards and also caught a TD pass. Fimbres has scored 22 touchdowns this season.
“Jacob is a great athlete, but watching him run downfield and getting all of those yards because of us is awesome,” said Negrete, the center.
The Raiders (6-0) took a 7-0 lead after quarterback Cole McDonald lofted a 35-yard TD pass to Jason Clayton in the opening quarter.
The Lancers (5-1) countered with an 11-play, 70yard scoring drive. David Cabral capped the march with a 25-yard touchdown run, but Sunny Hills missed the PAT and trailed, 7-6.
On the first play on the ensuing possession, Fimbres spun and broke several tackles before racing 70 yards for a TD and increasing the Raiders’ lead to 13-7. Fimbres caught a 10-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter to cap an 18-play, 80-yard drive and up Sonora’s lead to 20-6.
Sunny Hills added a field goal late in the quarter and trailed, 20-9, at halftime.
Fimbres had three TD runs in the second half, including a 61-yarder on the first play of the third quarter.
