Sonora Takes Early Lead, Then Fends Off Buena Park

BUENA PARK — At this rate, Mark Takkinen won’t need a hair stylist.

The Sonora coach ran his hands through his hair and said, “I’m losing a lot of this.”

He had good reason to be concerned.

Takkinen watched his Raiders take a 21-0 first-quarter lead, then hold off a furious fourth-quarter rally by Buena Park, ruining the Coyotes’ homecoming with a 21-20 Freeway League victory Friday night at Buena Park High School.

“We started on fire,” Takkinen said.

Sonora (4-2, 1-0) took an early lead when sophomore quarterback Kevin Rodrigues passed 41 yards to Cubby Kelly for a touchdown.

The Raiders scored on their next possession, when Adam Chez scored from five yards out. Chez had 69 yards in 10 carries.

Two plays after Noel Ishikawa of Sonora intercepted a George McDonald pass, Rodrigues passed 78 yards to Mark Gonzalez for a score.

Rodrigues completed six of eight passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Sonora has won the three games the sophomore has played.

“It’s the first time in eight years we’ve won three straight,” Takkinen said.

Buena Park (0-6, 0-1) came back behind McDonald and Tim Jones. Jones scored the first Buena Park touchdown with 1:31 left in the half on a 10-yard run.

McDonald then scored on a 31-yard run in the third quarter, and an 11-yard run with 3:17 left. But McDonald’s pitch to David Barrios on the two-point conversion attempt was stopped Erik Julin.