Sonuyi Sits Out Esperanza’s 30-11 Win

Esperanza completed the warm-up portion of its Sunset League schedule, and it turns out the Aztecs have some issues heading into the home stretch.

Temitope Sonuyi, Orange County’s leading rusher, didn’t play Friday night in the Aztecs’ 30-11 victory over host Huntington Beach, sitting out because of a pulled groin muscle.

And quarterback Greg Farrell left the game early in the third quarter with a knee injury of undetermined severity.

The No. 3 Aztecs (7-1, 3-0) nonetheless stayed tied for first place with Edison. But their readiness for the two big games left on their schedule--No. 4 Los Alamitos next week, No. 2 Edison Nov. 9--now appears in question.

Esperanza Coach Gary Meek said Sonuyi has been hurting for two weeks and was held out as a precaution. “We felt we could win this game without him, and we want to get it healed 100% for next week,” Meek said.

Sophomore Shaun Wildenstein started for Sonuyi and rushed for 173 yards in 26 carries, including second-half touchdown runs of 11 and 59 yards.

Farrell threw a 66-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Pace for a 17-3 lead 38 seconds before halftime. Six minutes earlier, Matt Hathaway returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown.

But Meek, noting the Aztecs’ five fumbles, said, “We didn’t play well. I don’t know if we were flat or what, but if we play like this [next week] we won’t win.”

Russell Oschman rushed for 128 yards for Huntington Beach (2-6, 0-3).

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SUNSET

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League Overall School W L T W L T Edison 3 0 0 7 1 0 Esperanza 3 0 0 7 1 0 Los Alamitos 2 1 0 7 1 0 Fountain Valley 1 2 0 4 4 0 Marina 0 3 0 5 3 0 Huntington Beach 0 3 0 2 6 0

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WEEK 8

Thursday’s result

* Edison 28, Marina 3

Friday’s results

* Esperanza 30, Huntington Beach 11

* Los Alamitos 34, Fountain Valley 14

WEEK 9

Friday, Nov. 3

Edison vs. Fountain Valley at Orange Coast College

Los Alamitos vs. Esperanza at Valencia HS

Marina at Huntington Beach