Orange County Prep Football : Brea-Olinda Shuts Down Western for 17-7 Win

Brea-Olinda High School upset Western, 17-7, in an Orange League game in front of 1,100 in Handel Stadium at Anaheim Friday night.

Western (6-2, 2-1) scored first on a 26-yard reverse by Richard Rodriguez, capping a 10-play, 94-yard drive in the first quarter.

But the Wildcats came right back with a 5-play, 70-yard drive to open the second quarter. Eddie Stewart scored on a nine-yard run, and David Stark’s extra point tied the score, 7-7.

Stark kicked a 26-yard field goal in the third quarter to give the Wildcats (4-4, 2-1) the lead for good, 10-7. Matt Gunn’s 20-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter sealed the victory.

Brea-Olinda sophomore quarterback Chad Marlow, filling in for the injured Shon Riley, completed 6 of 13 passes for 109 yards. Marlow also rushed for 37 yards in 12 carries.

The Pioneers were hurt by penalties throughout the game, with 12 for 125 yards, including three consecutive 15-yard penalties in the fourth quarter leading to Gunn’s touchdown and the ejection of Pioneer starting linebacker Mahe Liavaa.

“We didn’t lose the game because of penalties,” said Western Coach Jim Howell. “They (the Wildcats) were well-prepared.”

Brea-Olinda shut down Western’s offense for three quarters after its first-quarter drive, not allowing the Pioneers to get closer than the Wildcat 25. The Wildcats also stopped the Pioneers on three different fourth-and-short situations.

Western running back William Lusk gained 74 yards in 9 carries; Don Norris rushed for 67 yards in 11 carries in the first half before leaving the game with an injured arm.