Backfield trio shows versatility in Brea Olinda win

Brea Olinda's Noah Rivera runs the ball in for the first touchdown of the game as Valencia's Jordan John and Justin Moran, right, try to stop him in the first quarter of a Friday night football game at Brea Olinda.
Valencia's Michael Carrasco runs with the ball for Valencia's first touchdown of the game during the first quarter of a Friday night football game at Brea Olinda.
Brea Olinda's Noah Rivera leaps for his team's third touchdown of the game in the second quarter of a Friday night football game against Valencia at Brea Olinda.
Brea Olinda's Noah Rivera leaps for a touchdown pass in the first quarter as Valencia's Justin Moran defends Friday night at Brea Olinda.
Valencia's Michael Carrasco holds onto the ball for Valencia's first touchdown of the game as Brea Olinda's Noah Rivera grabs on during the first quarter of a Friday night football game at Brea Olinda.
Brea Olinda's Dylan Flenniken runs downfield for a 63-yard gain against Valencia on Friday night.
Brea Olinda's Luke Meyer kicks an extra point from the 20-yard-line with a ball held by James Narey in the second quarter of a Friday night football game against Valencia at Brea Olinda.
Brea Olinda's Quarterback Dylan Flenniken passes the ball to Jason Allen (not in photo) as Valencia's Ismael Guitierrez tries to block during the first quarter of a Friday night game at Brea Olinda.

By Tim Tuttle | Orange County Register

September 10, 2016 at 12:35 a.m.

BREA – Brea Olinda’s backfield of versatile Noah Rivera, tailback Michael Martinson and quarterback Dylan Flenniken showed plenty of speed and skill against Valencia, leading the Wildcats to a 33-21 nonleague victory Friday night at Brea Olinda.

The 5-foot-7, 142-pound Rivera had touchdown runs of 16 and 49 yards and caught a 31-yard scoring pass from Flenniken. The 165-pound Martinson had 4- and 2-yard scoring runs and the 6-foot-3, 170-pound Flenniken was elusive while running and accurate while passing in gaining 277 yards in total offense.

Rivera gained 81 yards on six carries and caught five passes for 120 yards Martinson rushed for 97 yards on 17 carries. Flenniken completed 10 of 16 for 205 yards and ran nine times for 72.

Brea (2-0) had 473 yards in total offense. It led 26-7 at halftime and extended it to 33-7 early in the third period.

Valencia (0-3) started Sam Lydic at quarterback for the first time this season. He’d been a wide receiver in the opening two games, but the loss of starter Eric Terrones in the season-opening loss to Capistrano Valley and the ineffectiveness of junior Zach Charles last week against Yorba Linda forced Coach Shaun Racobs, in his first season at Valencia, to switch to the senior Lydic.

The Tigers also played without star running back Jahquon Speed, who was out with an injury. Michael Carrasco, a 200-pound senior, replaced Speed admirably by rushing 19 times for 108 yards. Carrasco had a 27-yard touchdown run that tied the game, 7-7, in the first quarter.

Lydic completed 13 of 17 for 179 yards and ran 16 times for 35. He threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Jordan John in the third period. Nathan Perez scored Valencia’s final touchdown, a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Valencia showed resiliency, outscoring Brea 14-7 in the second half.

Brea took the opening kickoff and drove 77 on 9 plays, with Rivera scoring on his 16-yard run.

Valencia scored on its first possession with Carrasco’s run, and Brea regained the momentum with a 67-yard, 8-play march capped by Rivera’s 31-yard touchdown reception from Flenniken.

Brea extended its lead in the second quarter on a six-play, 87-yard drive, capped by Martinson scoring from the 4. Flenniken had a 48-yard run on the drive.

The Wildcats capped an eight-play, 66-yard scoring drive ended with Martinson’s 2-yard run that pushed their lead to 26-7 with 5:04 left in the second period