Buena Park Overwhelmed by South Hills

COVINA — With Buena Park trailing undefeated West Covina South Hills, 21-10, early in third quarter and faced with a fourth and one, Coach Manny Saiz decided to go for it.

Buena Park (4-7) didn’t make it and South Hills won, 35-18, Friday night in the opening round of the Southern Section Division VIII playoffs at Covina District Stadium.

Said Saiz: “That fourth and one hurt us along with the turnovers. The kids played great, considering we were 0-10 last year.”

Buena Park led South Hills, 10-7, midway through the second quarter on a 37-yard field goal by Florin Gociu and a 10-yard run by Brian McDonald.

McDonald led the Coyotes with 141 yards in 29 carries.

But South Hills (11-0) answered 18 seconds later when Ryan Smith passed 68 yards to Sean Pierce for a 14-10 lead.

Ruben Gasso, Buena Park’s quarterback, fumbled on the next series and South Hills’ Manny Garcia recovered. Smith again hit Pierce two plays later for a 42-yard touchdown to give the Huskies a 21-10 lead with 4:14 left in the half.

Smith threw for four touchdowns while completing 11 of 21 for 233 yards.

South Hills will play La Mirada in next week’s second round.