LA HABRA – For whatever reason, Sonora plays better in the second half.
Neither Raiders coach Paul Chiotti nor running back Jacob Fimbres can explain it, but for the second week in a row, Sonora got going late against a Freeway League foe.
Fimbres scored five times and rushed for 320 yards as the Raiders beat Troy, 41-26, Friday at La Habra High.
“I love running the ball,” Fimbres said. “Every run is different. All I see is me and the end zone.”
Sonora (7-1, 2-1) scored on its first three possessions, Fimbres ending consecutive drives with touchdown runs of 24, 10 and 8 yards. But the Raiders offense sputtered through halftime, losing a fumble and punting twice after taking a 20-0 lead.
It took the hosts a full quarter to regain their rhythm.
With Sonora leading, 20-17, in the fourth, Raiders receiver Jason Clayton made a diving, 36-yard touchdown catch. Raiders quarterback Cole McDonald completed six of his 14 pass attempts, but put that particular pass exactly where it needed to be.
“I knew I had to make a play,” said Clayton, who returned this week from a broken collarbone he suffered in early September. “When my name was called, I ran hard, and when the ball was in the air, my instincts kicked in. No hesitation.”
Sonora scored twice in the final four minutes, on Fimbres runs of 34 and 53 yards.
“These kids are why you coach,” Chiotti said. “You coach to have a great group. A Jacob. A Jason. Our offensive and defensive lines. We had so many kids contribute tonight, players who made a difference. We have several kids like Jacob on this team. That makes coaching fun.”
Troy QB Josiah Norwood threw for 310 yards. He connected with receiver Raul Lemus late for an 85-yard touchdown, and he scored earlier in the game on a 57-yard run.
Troy fell to 5-3, 2-1.
Contact the writer: bwhitehead@ocregister.com
