FULLERTON – Both Sonora coach Paul Chiotti and Fullerton coach Gus Martinez emphasized that Friday night’s Freeway League game was as Martinez put it an “October playoff game.”
With both teams coming off losses last week, neither could afford another setback with the playoffs on the horizon.
Indians quarterback Andrew Tavarez guided Fullerton’s offense to four scoring drives in the second half and reserve running back Ryan Rains scored two touchdowns to lead the Indians to a 30-22 victory over the Raiders at Fullerton High.
The Indians (4-4, 1-2) defense, led by Kaene Soto, Jordan Merriweather and Elias Harlow forced three Sonora turnovers and held off a late Raiders rally to secure the win.
Tavarez completed 21 passes for 200 yards and a TD.
Rains, who subbed for injured RB Joshua Hill, had a pair of second half TD runs. His second touchdown gave the Indians a 30-14 lead with 8:24 to play.
“It feels fantastic to score my first two varsity touchdowns; it helps keep us in the playoff hunt,” said Rains.
Sonora scored on a flea-flicker late to cut the lead to 30-22. Cole McDonald threw a lateral pass to Brandon Ahrndt, who tossed a 35-yard TD pass to Jason Clayton. Jacob Fimbres ran in the 2-point conversion and the Raiders trimmed the lead to one score with 1:45 to play.
However, the Indians recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.
Clayton had two touchdown catches for the Raiders (6-2, 1-2).
Fimbres returned a 72-yard punt return for a TD in the first minute of the game, but was held to 41 yards rushing.
