Crippled Buena Hangs On to Outlast Rio Mesa, 14-10

With both their quarterback and their defensive leader out of the lineup, the Buena High Bulldogs wanted to turn Friday night’s game against Rio Mesa into a conservative, low-scoring affair.

The Bulldogs got what they wanted--almost.

Like a time bomb, this tight Channel League contest exploded as the teams traded dramatic touchdowns in the final three minutes. Buena needed a last-second interception in its end zone by defensive back Dan Lemp to preserve a 14-10 victory at Ventura High.

“We were getting nervous,” Lemp said. “I didn’t think we were going to be able to stop them.”

Nothing about the first three quarters suggested the game would end so wildly.

Halfway through the first quarter, the visiting Spartans (6-3, 3-3 in league play) took the ball near midfield after a short punt and Gordy Abellera ran 19 yards on a draw play. A few plays later, McLane Hansen kicked a 30-yard field goal.

Buena (7-2, 5-1) responded with a bone-jarring drive. George Keiaho carried on 10 of 11 plays as the Bulldogs moved 68 yards. He scored from a yard to give Buena a 7-3 lead.

On Buena’s next possession, Keiaho continued his crushing ways, carrying the team to the Rio Mesa six-yard line. But the 5-foot-9, 185-pound sophomore fumbled near the goal line as the first half expired.

Neither team scored until Rio Mesa pieced together an 88-yard march in the fourth quarter. Abellera carried most of the way as Buena played without linebacker Ryan Minkle, who was declared academically ineligible this week.

Andy Contreras finished the drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jamie Luevano, who made a one-handed catch.

The score was 10-7 with time running out and Buena, after sticking to the ground, had to rely on the arm of replacement quarterback Aaron Triana. He completed four of his next five passes and scrambled 13 yards for a crucial first down in Spartan territory.

“All I was thinking was that I had to come through,” said Triana, who was starting because Matt Ertman suffered a broken collarbone last week against Ventura.

Keiaho (141 yards in 43 carries) dived for the winning score with 1 minute 3 seconds remaining.

Contreras then guided Rio Mesa to the Buena 20-yard line before his desperation pass fell into the wrong hands. Contreras finished with nine completions in 19 attempts for 169 yards.

Abellera rushed 20 times for 112 yards.