Hernandez’s Kick Ends Brea’s Seven-Year Hex

Football games like this are usually measured in yards. But you could size up Brea-Olinda High School’s 23-21 victory over host Valencia Friday night in the width of the smile Brea kicker Marco Hernandez was wearing afterward.

Hernandez’s 25-yard field goal sailed straight and true with 42 seconds left and gave Brea Coach John Looney his first victory over Valencia in seven years.

“I told Marco to go out and win us the Orange League championship,” Looney said. “Inside, I was just praying he’d make it.”

Hernandez’s kick set off a wild celebration on the Brea sideline. And it gave the Wildcats (6-2-1, 3-0-1 in league) the inside track on the league championship. Brea can clinch the title with a victory at home next week against Western.

The decisive field goal was set up on a 43-yard option pass play from Jamie Baraglia to Mike Ryan after a lateral from quarterback Jason Luevanos.

Valencia (8-1, 3-1) took a 21-7 lead early in the third quarter on John Fewell’s third touchdown run of the game. Fewell carried 16 times for 131 yards. Brea’s comeback started with Brook Coop’s two-yard touchdown plunge in the third quarter.

With 3:13 left after the second of three tough Brea defensive stands, Luevanos hit a sliding Rick Taylor in the end zone from 11 yards out to cut Valencia’s lead to 21-20. But Luevanos’ pass attempt on the two-point conversion was batted away by Korey Alexander.