Temple-Led Defense Helps Troy Put It to Sonora, 23-3

Defensive end Art Temple led a superlative effort by Troy High School’s defensive unit to key a 23-3 victory over Sonora Friday night in Freeway League action at Fullerton District Stadium.

Temple, who recovered a fumble late in the first half leading to Troy’s go-ahead touchdown, led a defensive effort that saw the Warriors allow only 48 total yards, 45 of which came on two plays late in the game.

“They were just awesome,” said John Turek, Troy coach. “I’m really pleased with how hard they played tonight.”

Turek also had special praise for Temple. “He was just all over the field, this has to be the finest game he’s played all year,” Turek said. “I can’t say enough about his performance.”

The Warriors scored on their first possession. They took the opening kickoff and went 67 yards to Sonora’s 5-yard line from where Dan Hermansson kicked a 29-yard field goal.

Troy was forced to settle for the field goal after Warrior quarterback David St. Clair was sacked by Sonora linebacker John Davis on a third-and-two play at the Raiders’ five-yard line.

Sonora tied the game in the second quarter when Jay Johnson kicked 31-yard field goal. A fumble recovery by Sonora linebacker Brian Miller at Troy’s 31-yard set up the play.

Troy’s defense held Sonora to 15 total yards in the first half, but it was just warming up. Temple’s fumble recovery with 2:41 left in the half gave the Warriors the ball at Sonora’s 31-yard line. The Warriors moved to Sonora’s one-yard line from where Wayne Ryan’s dive gave Troy a 10-3 lead with 19 seconds left in the half.

Troy put the game away midway through the fourth quarter when St. Clair first tossed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Mike Pawlawski and the latter then ran 40 yards to put the game out of reach.

Troy’s second consecutive win boosted its record to 2-1 in the six-team league while Sonora slipped to 1-2. The victory sets up a showdown next week with unbeaten La Habra for the league lead.

“The key to that game will be our ability to stop (La Habra) running back Chuck Weatherspoon,” Turek said. “We’ll need a total defensive effort to beat La Habra.”