LA HABRA — Noah Rivera scored three touchdowns and totaled 197 yards for Brea Olinda as the Wildcats defeated Sonora, 38-12, in a nonleague game Friday night at La Habra High.
After falling behind 6-0 in the first quarter, Brea Olinda struck fast and often with quick hits from Rivera and long throws from quarterback Dylan Flenniken.
“When that kids got the rock in his hands he can go at any time,” Brea Olinda coach Robb Perrance said about Rivera, who was All-CIF last season.
Rivera rushed five times for 78 yards and a touchdown, caught one pass for 63 yards and a touchdown and had a 56-yard punt return.
Sonora (0-2) seemed to stop the Wildcats in the first quarter, but its defense could not keep up with Brea’s speed later in the game.
Brea Olinda (1-0) totaled 282 yards of offense, while Flenniken completed 4 of 5 passes for 125 yards and three touchdowns.
The Wildcats held Sonora to 157 yards. Quarterback Trent Rodriguez was 8 of 16 for 73 yards and one interception.
Flenniken tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Michael Salazar in the flat before the half, which gave Brea a 13-6 lead.
Rivera streaked down field on a 60-yard run with six minutes left in the second quarter for Brea Olinda’s first touchdown.
Sonora struck first on its opening possession with an 8-yard touchdown run from running back Ethan Cook, who pounded his way through defenders.
Brea Olinda Linebacker Steven Hayes picked off a Rodriguez pass early in the game to stall Sonora on what looked to be a decent drive, holding the score at 6-0.
