PREP FOOTBALL : Freeway League Roundup : Sunny Hills Hangs On for 24-17 Victory

Running back Brian Pizula rushed for 181 yards in 19 carries and scored a touchdown to lead Sunny Hills High School to a 24-17 Freeway League victory over Fullerton Friday night in front of 1,400 at Buena Park High School.

Pizula’s 43-yard touchdown run with 7 minutes 37 seconds left in the third quarter gave the Lancers what appeared to be a comfortable 24-3 lead. Fullerton fullback Steve DePhillips keyed a 14-point comeback with touchdown runs of 3 and 57 yards, as the Indians pulled to within 24-17 with 8:59 left.

Sunny Hills responded with a 14-play, 54-yard drive during which the Lancers didn’t score but ran 7 minutes off the clock. Fullerton failed to get a first down on its final possession and Sunny Hills (5-2, 1-1) ran out the remaining 31 seconds.

The turning point came with 2 seconds before halftime when Sunny Hills defensive back Derron Calvin returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown, which extended the Lancers’ lead to 17-3.

DePhillips finished with 168 yards in 17 carries for Fullerton (3-4, 1-1).