BUENA PARK – Quarterback Zach Taylor’s pinpoint passing and Buena Park’s overall speed devastated Yorba Linda, 49-7, in a CIF Southwest Division first-round victory Friday at Buena Park.
The Coyotes (9-2) will play Corona del Mar (9-2), which beat Trabuco Hills, in the second round. The Mustangs finished 4-7.
Taylor had touchdown runs of 9, 24 and 15 yards and threw 16- and 12-yard scoring passes to Tarriq Johnson. The 6-foot, 187-pound senior completed 15 of 17 with 215 yards and didn’t throw an interception, and ran for 87 yards on 10 carries.
The Coyotes have plenty of other weapons in addition to Taylor. Running back Elijah Bynum broke off 21- and 28-yard touchdown runs. He gained 58 yards on five carries.
Wide receiver Devon Cooley, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound sophomore, had five receptions for 87 yards. Junior Jeremiah Hawkins, who played for Yorba Linda in 2014, caught four passes for 44, and the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Johnson had three catches for 34 yards.
Buena Park led 42-0 at halftime and the second half was played with a running clock.
“I think we’re getting better every week,” Buena Park coach Anthony White said. “We’re starting four sophomores on defense and they’re getting better every week.”
Taylor had been slowed by a rib injury at midseason and has steadily regained strength as a passer and runner.
“He threw the ball great tonight,” White said. “He’s been getting stronger. We blocked great for him. We drew up a great game plan and our players executed it. It’s that simple.”
Yorba Linda’s Mason Winter ran 28 times for 91 yards. The Mustangs had one extended drive in the first half, moving from their 21-yard line to the Coyotes’ 29 before turning the ball over on downs.
Yorba Linda’s lone touchdown was a well-thrown pass from quarterback Kamren Freck to Logan Venero, who made an excellent catch well-guarded by a defender, for 24 yards in the fourth quarter. It was Freck’s only completion of the game.
