Weyer’s Field Goal Gives La Habra a Late Victory

Bret Weyer had never tried a game-winning field goal, but he knew what a pressure kick felt like.

Two years in a row he missed crucial penalty kicks that cost the La Habra boys’ soccer team, but Friday night he erased those memories by kicking a 37-yard field goal as time expired to give the Highlanders a 24-22 victory over Fullerton in a Freeway League game at Fullerton.

“I missed two years in a row,” Weyer said. “Last year against Sunny Hills it came down to overtime and I missed one and we ended up losing.”

It appeared Weyer wouldn’t have a chance to try when La Habra faced a fourth and four on its 44 with 40 seconds remaining and no timeouts. But Josh Herrera picked up the first down with a seven-yard reception.

A 12-yard run by Marcus Airedondo put the ball at the Fullerton 37, where consecutive incomplete passes left La Habra with third down and 10 seconds remaining.

La Habra quarterback Randall Parra then threw deep to Art Figueroa, who was knocked off his route, resulting in a pass interference penalty. The penalty moved the ball just outside the 20 with three seconds remaining, setting up Weyer’s kick.

“I was waiting on the sidelines for it,” Weyer said. “Right when I kicked it I knew it was in.”

Weyer’s field goal overshadowed a strong comeback by Fullerton (5-3, 1-2). The Indians trailed 14-0 in the first quarter after Herrera, who rushed for 248 yards in 31 carries, ran for touchdowns of 48 and 39 yards.

Fullerton cut the lead to 14-6 on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Michael Echaves to Jose Rangel late in the second quarter. Herrera returned a second-half punt 67 yards for a touchdown and a 21-6 lead.

Fullerton came back on its next possession and scored on a 54-yard touchdown pass from Echaves to Abel Hernandez.

La Habra (4-4, 3-0) couldn’t get a first down on its next drive and Fullerton moved 53 yards in four plays and taking a 22-21 lead in the third quarter on a 27-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion run by Armando Lopez.