Sunny Hills Turns Turnovers Into Victory

Sunny Hills converted three turnovers into touchdowns and running back Chris Velotta rushed for 92 yards as the Lancers defeated Mission Viejo, 27-21, for their first victory of the season, Friday night at Buena Park High.

The Lancers (1-3) got on the board first as Velotta broke three tackles for a 15-yard touchdown run. Two series later, Sunny Hills linebacker Dereck Cretz intercepted Diablo quarterback Austin Moherman’s pass at the Mission Viejo 16 and powered his way into the end zone.

After Mission Viejo fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Lancer quarterback Greg Gearand hit wide receiver Jeff Renaud for a 25-yard pass in the corner of the end zone.

Trailing, 20-0, Mission Viejo finally got on the board with nine seconds remaining in the first half when Diablo running back Todd Fielding scored on a three-yard run to cap a five-play, 50-yard drive.

At the opening of the third quarter, Mission Viejo committed yet another turnover as Fielding mishandled the pitch into the backfield, allowing the Lancers to recover.

The Lancers’ Gearand completed a six-play, 51-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run.

Mission Viejo tried to come back on wide receiver Ryan Ballas’ eight catches for a 126 yards--including 19-yard and a 30-yard touchdown catches late in the game.