PREP EXTRA: SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Rodriguez, Gonzalez Team Up to Lead Sonora Past Buena Park

LA HABRA — Sonora’s passing combination of Kevin Rodriguez to Mark Gonzalez was too much for Buena Park’s defense Friday night. The duo teamed on three second-quarter touchdowns, as Sonora defeated Buena Park, 28-14, at La Habra High.

Rodriguez connected with Gonzalez for touchdowns of 30, 13 and 55 yards before halftime as the Raiders (4-3, 2-0) held on to a share of first place in the Freeway League.

At 6-foot-4, Gonzalez took advantage of a six-inch height advantage over Buena Park’s defensive back Corey Lyday.

But Gonzalez, who caught five passes for 153 yards, said exploiting that edge was never discussed prior to the game. Instead, he credited Rodriguez’s passing.

“Kevin (Rodriguez) put the ball in good spots and I just reached up and grabbed it,” Gonzalez said.

Rodriguez completed seven passes in nine attempts for 176 yards and one interception.

Buena Park (1-6, 0-2) got a gutsy performance from quarterback David Barrios, who threw two touchdown passes and led the team in rushing with 80 yards in 16 carries.

Lyday, Buena Park’s cornerback, got some revenge at the start of the second half. His 50-yard kickoff return set up the Coyotes’ first touchdown, a 50-yard pass from Barrios to Brett Strike that cut the deficit to 21-7.

But Sam Escobar’s one-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter put the game out of reach.