Sunny Hills Salvages Tie by Blocking Field-Goal Try

Sunny Hills’ David Goodloe blocked a 27-yard field goal attempt by Adrian Vargas with 1 minute 6 seconds left in the game to help preserve a 21-21 tie with Troy in a Freeway League game Friday night at Buena Park High.

The Lancers, who rallied with two touchdowns and a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter to tie the score, maintained their league lead with a 3-0-1 record while Troy (2-1-1) remained one game back.

Troy took a 21-7 lead early in the fourth quarter when Vargas scored from the five and made his third conversion kick. The touchdown was set up when Chris Butters recovered a muffed punt return on the Lancer seven.

Sunny Hills rebounded with a 31-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jared Bruce. The extra-point try was blocked by Brant Elliott for a 21-13 margin with 8:54 remaining.

On Troy’s first play from scrimmage after the touchdown, Grady Funk of Sunny Hills recovered Todd Frazier’s fumble on the Warrior 31. On fourth down and four, Kevin Haiola ran 23 yards for a touchdown. Adam Rodriguez ran in the two-point conversion to tie.

Troy started the ensuing drive from its 16 and with the help of three major penalties--two pass interference calls and one late hit--moved to the Lancer nine before the drive stalled, prompting the field goal try.

Sunny Hills scored first on Haiola’s 30-yard touchdown run and Troy tied it on a one-yard run on fourth down by Stephen Muther.