Buena Park Shut Down by Savanna, 14-7

Buena Park High School’s football team found out the hard way Thursday night that lopsided victories are fleeting.

Last week, the Coyotes almost scored at will in rolling over Santa Fe, 50-0. Thursday night, Savanna (3-1) slowed that offense to a walk in a 14-7 victory.

“We’re proud of our defense,” Savanna Coach Mike DiPalma said. “They played aggressive, they kept their poise, they kept their heads together.”

The Rebels held Buena Park quarterback Mark Medellin to only 21 passing yards. Neither team was able to score until the start of the second half, when Savanna quarterback Brad Belanger (nine for 15, 163 yards) hit wide receiver Vince Flores with a 60-yard pass.

Buena Park (2-2) struck back on the ensuing kickoff when Dion Green caught the ball, ran to the right and handed it to tailback Angel Barrios, who reversed and ran 80 yards for a touchdown. Later, Barrios fumbled a punt and Savanna’s Hoan Nguyen recovered on Buena Park’s 13-yard line. Four plays later, Leon Landry bulled over from three yards out for the winning touchdown.