Buena Park looks ready for anything

Buena Park's Adrian Cunningham and Marcus Loudon celebrate after a touchdown during the first quarter at Western High on Friday.
Buena Park's Ryan Nelson and Andrew Mulipola try to tackle Western's Don Anderson during the first quarter Friday at Western High.
Western's Ramzi Al-Shurman is tackled by Buena Park's Cedric Dashiell during the first quarter Friday at Western High.
Buena Park quarterback Zach Taylor threw four touchdowns passes and also ran effectively in a 70-3 victory over Western on Friday night.
Buena Park quarterback Zach Taylor prepares to throw a pass against Western during the second quarter. The Coyotes built a big early lead on their way to a victory at Western High.
Western's Otto Carmona and Don Anderson bring down Buena Park's Matthew Sifuentes during the second quarter Friday at Western High.
Buena Park quarterback Zach Taylor prepares to throw a pass against Western during the second quarter Friday at Western High.
Buena Park's Aaliyah Banner cheers during the second quarter as Buena Park leads the game against Western 44-0 at Western High on Friday. Buena Park won, 70-3.
Buena Park football fans Christine Gonzalez, from left, Yareth Martinez, and Angelica Monje pose during the second quarter as Buena Park leads the game against Western, 44-0, at Western High on Friday. Buena Park won, 70-3.
Buena Park football fans cheer for their defense during the second quarter against Western on Friday night at Western High in Anaheim. Buena Park won, 70-3. Story, Page 3.
Western High football fans cheer during the game against Buena Park at Western High in Anaheim on Friday night.
Western High football fans Jennifer Hartman and Karlee Stonestreet pose during the game against Buena Park at Western High School in Anaheim on Friday.
Western's Nick Zarate is tackled by Buena Park's Siope Folau, Raymond Gonzalez and Cameron Jonas during the first quarter at Western High School in Anaheim on Friday. Buena Park, 70-3.
Western's Nick Zarate is tackled by Buena Park's Raymond Gonzalez and Cameron Jonas during the first quarter at Western High in Anaheim on Friday.

By Steve Fryer | sfryer@scng.com | Orange County Register

October 3, 2014 at 11:28 p.m.

ANAHEIM – If this was a tune-up, Buena Park is ready for the Daytona 500.

Buena Park rolled to a 70-3 win over Western on Friday at Western High in the final nonleague game for both teams.

The Coyotes (5-0) play La Habra (2-3) next Friday in the Freeway League opener for both at Buena Park High. La Habra annually is the league favorite and is the defending league champion.

Buena Park finished second in the Freeway League last year with a 4-1 league record. Its only league loss? To La Habra, which went 5-0 to win its seventh straight league championship.

La Habra has not lost a league game since 2006.

Buena Park, ranked No. 7 in the CIF-Southern Section Southwest Division, got its first touchdown the first time it touched the ball – Will Latham’s 48-yard punt return less than three minutes into the game.

The Coyotes scored touchdowns on eight of their nine offensive possessions. They also got a safety and touchdowns on Latham’s punt return and on a 37-yard punt return by Mathew Sifuentes.

Buena Park quarterback Zach Taylor threw four touchdown passes, including one with one minute to go in the third quarter and the Coyotes leading, 57-3.

Asked about throwing the ball with that kind of lead, Buena Park coach Anthony White said, “We practice hard to play four quarters. We’re not trying to get somebody hurt and we’re not trying to be disrespectful. At the same time, everyone practices hard so let the kids play.”

White added that Buena Park had plenty of backup players, including three freshmen, in the game in the fourth quarter.

Buena Park played without highly recruited receiver Jaylinn Hawkins who sat as a precautionary measure because of an ankle sprain that happened during practice this week. White said Hawkins will play against La Habra.

Running back Marcus Loudon rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown and had a touchdown reception. Taylor rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Latham and Max Rivera had two touchdown receptions each for Buena Park.

Western (1-4) plays its Empire League opener Thursday against Tustin atTustin High.

Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com