La Habra Back Runs, Talks a Good Game

Brent West wasn’t afraid to speak his mind after rushing for 182 yards in La Habra’s 21-7 victory over Sonora in a Freeway League game Friday night before 6,000 at La Habra High.

The Highlander defense held Sonora to 80 yards of total offense, but it was West, who carried 29 times and scored on a one-yard first-quarter touchdown run, who boasted the loudest afterward.

“We came into the game to prove a point,” West said. “We wanted to prove that our defense could stop [David] Mayfield, and that I am the best back in the county. I think we did both.”

Mayfield, a junior running back, rushed eight times for 18 yards. It was the 11th time in 15 years that the Highlanders have won the annual game between the rivals.

The aggressive Highlander defense, led by Jonathan Tapia’s three interceptions, forced four Raider turnovers and held Mayfield to 18 yards rushing in 14 carries.

“We felt that our defense would make the difference tonight,” said La Habra Coach Frank Mazzotta. “Our defense shut them down and the offense was consistent.”

The Highlanders broke the game open with two third-quarter touchdowns. Quarterback Mike Keeling scored on an eight-yard run with 7 minutes 9 seconds left in the third quarter. Three and a half minutes later, Pascual Alvarez intercepted a Nick Ross pass and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown.

After La Habra turned the ball over on its first two possessions, Antonio Sanchez set up the first Highlander touchdown when he returned a short Sonora punt to the Raiders’ 16-yard line. Five plays later West scored on his one-yard plunge to give La Habra a 7-0 lead.

Sonora tied the score, 7-7, midway through the second quarter when Mayfield caught a short pass from Ross and raced 46 yards for a touchdown.