Sunny Hills Proves It Belongs in Special Class

In discussing the strong teams in Division VIII, Sunny Hills usually isn’t mentioned in the same sentence with Rancho Alamitos and Laguna Hills.

But at least among Freeway League foes, the Lancers’ prowess is unchallenged.

By beating Sonora, 42-21, Friday in front of an estimated 1,500 at Buena Park, Sunny Hills (7-1, 3-0) not only assured itself of a playoff spot, it revealed--at least for one night--it is more than just a running team.

Junior quarterback Jared Bruce had his biggest game of the season, completing eight of 11 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

The primary target was Grady Funk, who caught both touchdown passes--including a 57-yarder in the third quarter--and had three receptions for 84 yards.

Starting running backs Adam Rodriguez and Kevin Haiola combined for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

“Bruce threw well tonight, and throwing is something we need to do more of,” Sunny Hills Coach Tim Devaney said. “He’s a young quarterback, but he’s learning. And he’ll get there.”

Sonora (3-5, 1-2), which got most of its offense from running back Deric Hilliard (127 yards, two touchdowns), was able to move the ball on Sunny Hills’ defense, but did not have much luck stopping the Lancers’ offense.

“They’ve been together since they were sophomores,” Sonora Coach Mark Takkinen said. “They won a league championship as juniors. And their coaching staff has been together longer than anyone else in the league.

“We’ve played some good teams this year, including Bell Gardens and Edison, and they are as good as anyone we’ve played.”

After spotting Sonora a 7-6 lead, the Lancers took control in the second quarter with three consecutive touchdowns.

Haiola gave Sunny Hills the lead for good on the quarter’s second play, bursting through the middle of the Sonora defense and scoring untouched from 26 yards. Rodriguez ran in a two-point conversion to give the Lancers a 14-7 lead.

Funk followed with two brilliant plays. The first came on the Sunny Hills 15. He took the handoff from Rodriguez on the reverse, and outran the defense for an 85-yard touchdown with 5:33 left in the half.

After Rodriguez forced and recovered a Sonora fumble at the Sunny Hills 44, Bruce passed the Lancers to the Sonora 13. A penalty cost Sunny Hills five yards, but on the next snap Bruce floated the ball toward the middle of the end zone as he was tackled.

Funk, who had run a post pattern, tracked the ball’s flight and caught it for his second touchdown, and the Lancers led, 28-7.