LA HABRA – If Hollywood scripted a film about a high school football rivalry, it would have played out exactly like the nonleague contest between Brea Olinda and host Sonora on Friday at La Habra High.
The decades-old rivalry featured huge momentum swings and came down to a 34-yard field-goal try by the Wildcats with just over a minute remaining.
Jason Clayton broke through and blocked the attempt to preserve a 29-28 victory for Sonora.
The game was a mirror image of last year’s matchup in which Sonora (2-0) came up short after failing to convert a two-point conversion late in the game.
“I was proud of our kids,” Sonora coach Paul Chiotti said. “In the second half, things weren’t going right for us offensively and defensively and when they needed to, they stepped up and made a play.”
The Raiders dominated early and took a 21-7 lead into the half.
But the Wildcats (0-1) stormed back with three consecutive touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter, to take a 28-21 lead with 3:20 remaining.
The Raiders started the ensuing drive on their own 35-yard line and moved quickly to the 50 after a personal foul on the Wildcats.
Another 15-yard penalty on Brea Olinda later in the drive gave Sonora a first-and-goal from the 10.
Then Jacob Fimbres, who finished with 177 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries, ran up the middle for a 10-yard touchdown.
Fimbres then ran in the two-point conversion to give Sonora a 29-28 lead with 2:26 left.
Brea Olinda drove from its 44 to the Sonora 17 when Clayton blocked Matteo Miralaie’s field goal attempt.
After being held to minimal yards in the first half, Brea Olinda’s Billy Hanley finished with 160 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries.
Sonora quarterback Cole McDonald completed 11 of 22 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Contact the writer: lponsi@ocregister.com
