Sonora Ready but Unable to Stop Whittier

Whittier tried to stay on the run against Sonora Friday night but when finally cornered, the Cardinals threw a devastating blow.

Whittier quarterback Travanti Ross connected on a 29-yard pass to Ryan Scott with 40 seconds remaining, setting up a two-yard sneak by Ross that gave the Cardinals a 13-10 victory over Sonora at La Habra High.

“We were ready for [the deep pass],” Sonora Coach Mark Takkinen. “That was just a great throw by their quarterback and a great catch by their kid. We had good coverage.”

Whittier (2-3) began the scoring drive on its 36 with 3:01 remaining and wasn’t in a hurry to reach the end zone. The Cardinals ran the ball seven consecutive plays before an incomplete pass set up a third-and-13 situation with 50 seconds left. That’s when Ross and Scott connected.

Sonora (4-1) was able to reach midfield with 16 seconds remaining, but needed another 10 yards to get into field-goal range for Nick Ross, an All-Southern Section Division IX kicker last season who has hit from 63 yards in practice. Ross, who also plays quarterback, couldn’t get any closer, ending the game with two incomplete passes.

Ross was intercepted twice during the game, the second setting up a 23-yard touchdown run by Rodrick Ross that gave the Cardinals a 6-3 lead late in the third quarter.

Sonora suffered a big blow on its next series, when running back David Mayfield injured his ankle at the end of a 36-yard run and didn’t return. Mayfield finished with 101 yards in 18 carries.

That drive ended when Nick Ross missed a 39-yard field goal inches to the right. But the Raiders came back on their next possession and took a 10-6 lead on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Ross to tight end Sam Papageorge with 3:13 left in the game.