Brea Scores Late to Beat Buena Park

Brea Olinda was its own worst enemy at times Friday night, but still managed to pull out a victory in the final minutes.

With Buena Park holding a three-point lead and 1:37 left to play, Brea quarterback Steve Stagnaro capped an 80-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to Evan Moore for a 27-24 victory.

“That final drive is what this team is all about,” said Brea Coach Robb Perrance, whose team survived despite committing more than 50 yards’ worth of penalties. “Steve’s leadership was great down the stretch.”

Brea struck first, when running back Manuel Gutierrez scored on a one-yard run with 7:58 remaining in the first quarter. He finished the game with 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Buena Park countered on the following possession when quarterback Oscar Rojas scored from a yard out to tie it.

Neither team scored again before the half.

“We shot ourselves in the foot in the first half. We had a lot of opportunities, but the penalties were hurting us,” Perrance said.

The Coyotes took a 14-7 advantage two minutes into the second half when Rojas flipped an option pitch to Evan Lopez, who took it 60 yards for the score.

Brea struck back on the ensuing possession when Stagnaro connected with Gutierrez on a 10-yard touchdown pass to tie it, 14-14.

Buena Park kicked a 16-yard field goal right before the end of the third quarter, but Brea regained the lead, 21-17, with 5:08 left in the fourth quarter when Stagnaro scored on a keeper from eight yards out.

After another Brea penalty, Buena Park got the ball at the 50-yard line, and on the following play Rojas connected with Joey Alatorre for a 24-21 lead.