PREP FOOTBALL : Tight Defense, Pauley’s Offense Combine for 14-7 Magnolia Win

Magnolia’s Ed Pauley scored on a two-yard touchdown run with 3:42 left in the third quarter to break a 7-7 tie, lifting his team to 14-7 victory over Buena Park Friday night at Buena Park High School.

The senior running back’s touchdown capped a six-play, 61-yard drive, which came just moments after Buena Park had tied the score on Shane Smith’s fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown.

“It sure wasn’t pretty, but we’ll take it,” said Magnolia coach John Hangartner. “It was really a battle with mistakes out there,” he said, “but I was proud of the way the kids came back after they scored.”

Aside from Smith’s recovery , it was a frustrating night for the Coyotes. On three separate occasions Buena Park started a drive within the Magnolia 31, only to come away scoreless.

Much of the credit, however, must be given to the Sentinel defense which held Buena Park to only 104 total yards, including only 11 yard passes.

Offensively, Pauley was the key ingredient in the Sentinel’s first victory of the year, rushing for 90 yards on 15 carries including the decisive touchdown.

Magnolia opened the game in impressive fashion, taking the opening kickoff and driving 78 yards in 10 plays for a 7-0 lead.

Quarterback Mike Tietge climaxed the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ron Blackiston. During the drive, Tietge was 4-4 passing for 46 yards and the touchdown.

Magnolia is now 1 and 2, while Buena Park’s record falls to 0-2-1.