Herrera’s Heroics Give La Habra a Victory

Josh Herrera scored on a seven-yard run with 4 minutes 36 seconds left in the game to give La Habra a 16-15 Freeway League victory over Troy Friday at La Habra High.

Herrera’s game-winning run, capping a 65-yard drive, was set up when the Highlanders stopped Troy on downs at the La Habra 35. Herrera finished with 221 yards in 36 carries.

Troy’s Brett Murray, who entered the game as the county’s top rusher, was held to 44 yards in 17 carries.

Herrera opened the scoring by capping an 80-yard drive with a 37-yard run off left tackle with 8:55 left in the first quarter.

Troy cut the La Habra lead to 7-6 when Jordan Oliver connected with Ryan Welch on an 83-yard pass play down the left sideline.

Murray scored from three yards out with 11:16 remaining in the half to give the Warriors a 12-7 lead. His touchdown was set up when Jon Allington intercepted his second pass and returned it to the La Habra 40.

La Habra’s Bret Weyer kicked a 34-yard field goal with 3:26 left in the half to close the gap to 12-10.

Oliver’s 28-yard field goal was the only scoring in the third quarter, coming with 8:03 left and giving Troy a 15-10 lead.

La Habra snuffed out Troy’s final rally in the final minutes by stopping the Warriors on downs at the Highlander 29-yard line.

“It feels real good,” La Habra fullback Marcus Arredondo said. “We haven’t played this good in a long time. Now we are doing what counts.”

La Habra improved 3-4, 2-0 in league. Troy is 5-2, 1-1.